1.6 Visit to the Idrija psychiatric hospital The hospital explained that it employs 24 registered nurses (three more compared to 2010), 65 general care nurses and 10 nurse attendants. Otherwise, it was established on the basis of the received form “Monitoring of Human Resources 2012” that the hospital employed 20 registered nurses, 66 general care nurses and 10 nurse attendants on 31 December 2012. In the response report with regard to this subject, the hospital stated that variations of data result from different methods of monitoring of the number of employees or their actual allocation to appropriate posts. These variations in the specifications of the number of nurses therefore resulted from the allocation of four nurses to other posts, namely, one was allocated to the post of the assistant director of nursing, two were allocated to the post of assistant head nurse and one to the post of health care consultant. The hospital pointed out good working relationships with regional centres for social services, particularly with the centres in Koper, Sežana and Idrija and also with non-governmental organisations. The persons interviewed also explained that they noticed certain deficiencies in the implementation of the Mental Health Act (ZDZdr), they are particularly bothered by short deadlines. So they are pleased with the information they managed to obtain that modification of the Act will presumably occur in 2014. In particular, their complaints about the Act refer to the regulation of treatment, which is not emphasised enough in their opinion. Therefore, the Act is focused in particular on reception procedures and not on the treatment itself. Summary of the findings and recommendations of the NPM to the Idrija psychiatric hospital It was proposed by the NPM that the hospital studies the possibilities of extending the bed capacity in the special surveillance units where overcrowding is the most frequent and provides for appropriate living conditions of the patients. The hospital’s response report stated that only in exceptional cases two beds can be placed in the special surveillance unit. So far, the hospital solved the issue of a sudden increase in the number of patients by relocating them to other units. The average occupancy is 178 patients per day, i.e. 85% occupancy, which means that the hospital offers good accommodation possibilities. Regular relocation to other units solves the issue of increased occupancy of intensive care units and avoids the need to use auxiliary beds. The hospital considers that its current capacity of the intensive care units is adequate and believes that they provide for quality living conditions of patients; a sufficient amount of beds in units is also a guarantee for timely relocation to other units and appropriate reduction of intensive care unit occupancy. It was proposed by the NPM that the personnel of the gerontopsychiatric unit strives for the best possible conditions (by airing the unit more frequently, close monitoring of the patients and providing immediate care when necessary). The hospital believes that the recommendation concerning the airing in the units is unreasonable. The hospital regularly respects its internal agreement on airing the hospital units. The gerontopsychiatric unit is aired three times per day after meals and when needed (defecation and excretion). Continent patients are encouraged to keep personal hygiene and tidiness. Patients with continence problems or incontinent patients wear a diaper. There is also a regular toilet training. The protocol on the use of incontinent products in Idrija Psychiatric Hospital is used. Anogenital care is provided after every diaper change or defecation. Medical and nursing personnel will continue to follow these directions in a consistent manner. The report stated that the air in the gerontopsychiatric unit during the NPM’s visit was stale. It is possible, of course, that the visit in the unit took place just before airing. The recommendation was therefore not meant as a criticism of the personnel but as an incentive to consistently provide fresh air to the rooms and timely take care of the patients who need hygiene care. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NPM IN 2013 NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM UNDER THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT 121