National Preventive Mechanism Seventh Annual Report 2015–16 The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) visited all 57 mental health and learning disability wards in Northern Ireland (NI) on at least one occasion during the year, conducting a total of 70 planned and responsive inspections. RQIA put in place a revised inspection methodology for these inpatient services in 2016. Additionally, under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986, RQIA screened patient detention, assessment and holding forms, which the five Health and Social Care trusts are required to submit. During the year it examined around 10,250 forms and found an error rate of approximately 5%. As a result of RQIA intervention, the detention of 12 patients who were improperly detained was terminated. RQIA also visited children in secure accommodation, where deficiencies were identified in the quality of care provision; these were subsequently addressed by the care provider. It visited police custody suites and prisons in partnership with other relevant inspectorates, including Maghaberry Prison where it raised a number of significant concerns about health care. Northern Ireland Policing Board Independent Custody Visiting Scheme (NIPBICVS) continues to monitor the compliance of Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) with the Human Rights Act 1998. Following NPM recommendations, non-designated police stations in Northern Ireland came under the statutory remit of the Independent Custody Visiting Scheme from May 2016. Custody visitors found that those held in police custody often had complex health needs. As a result, the Policing Board’s Independent Human Rights Advisor made a recommendation in the Human Rights Annual Report 2014 which required PSNI to report to the Board’s Performance Committee on the progress of its review of healthcare within custody suites, which led to the provision of new specialist staff and other plans for improvement. Joint working between NPM members As well as collaborating on joint NPM thematic projects, members of the NPM collaborate on a wide range of initiatives aimed at strengthening their OPCAT compliance and detention monitoring. This year, two new protocols were agreed between NPM members aimed at preventing and addressing any sanctions on reprisals that may occur as a result of contact with NPM monitors. In Northern Ireland, CJINI and the IMBs signed one such protocol with the Prisons Ombudsman. In England and Wales, HMI Prisons and HMIC signed a protocol focusing specifically on sanctions in police custody. In Scotland, joint working arrangements developed over the year, with the CI and the SHRC joining HMIPS on prison inspections. MWCS and SHRC published a joint report on human rights in mental health care in Scotland.49 49. MWCS and SHRC (September 2015) Human rights in mental health care in Scotland, available at: www.mwcscot.org.uk/ about-us/latest-news/human-rights-in-mental-health-care-in-scotland/ [accessed 01/11/16]. 32