visits 2.1 NPM visits Fulfilling the role of an NPM requires regular visits to sites. In some administrative branches, such as the police and criminal sanctions, site visits can be made. However, in the case of social services and health care, the number of units is so large that sites must be selected for visits on the basis of certain priorities. In 2017, the number of follow-up visits was increased in order to determine how the recommendations of the NPM had been implemented in practice. The implementation of recommendations is also monitored through notifications submitted to the Ombudsman by the visited units or other authorities, regarding any changes and improvements made in their operations. The NPM made a total of 70 visits during 2017. Of these, 52 where made unannounced. Use of external experts has become an established practice in certain administrative branches. However, the practice of using external experts during inspection visits is still taking shape. In 2017, external experts where involved in 19 visits. In the field of social welfare, a visit to a youth home for residents with special needs was attended by an expert by experience. In addition, a doctor specialising in intellectual disabilities and an expert by experience participated in five visits made to residential care units for intellectually disabled people. Since the establishment of the NPM, it has been increasingly focused on interviewing persons 150 who have been deprived of their liberty. On site, the NPM has 120 sought to interview those in the most vulnerable position, such as 90 foreign nationals. This has meant an increase in the use of interpreter services. Interpreters have been 60 used on visits to prisons and detention units for foreign nationals 30 in particular. The aim has been to create a designated “interpreter 0 pool” for NPM visits, consisting of 2015 2016 2017 interpreters that are familiar with the environment and professional all inspections/visits vocabulary used. This helps to imNPM-visits prove the quality of the interviews. unannounced NPM-visits One of the key themes for the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman for 2017 was efficient leVisits in 2015–2017. gal remedies. A focus area during the visits was paying attention to how well clients and their families can access the legal remedies to which they are entitled, such as complaints and appeals. The Ombudsman has not yet set a specific theme for the visits made by the NPM. However, the various visits may have focused on specific issues, or certain groups of vulnerable people. 180 17