On 11 September 2015, after repeated recommendations made by the NPM, the minister of healthcare issued Order no. РД-01-192 thereby designating seven Multidisciplinary hospitals for active treatment and one Specialised hospital for active treatment of child diseases to perform expert assessment of the health status and needs of children with disabilities, on the basis of which children will be placed in FTPC and treated in specialised hospitals. The first phase of the restructuring of eight Homes for Medical and Social Child Care (HMSCC) for children aged 0 to 3 was completed in 2015. New social services were launched after theclosure of the HMSCC. A positive trend that the NPM observed was that after the closure of the HMSCC and the opening of new services the number of children using resident type of care fell drastically. Children’s stay was also shortened. The closure of these institutions triggered a problem with the financing of the new integrated medical and social services that affected their sustainability. In this relation the Ombudsman acting as NPM issued an opinion that the way state institutions treated children with disabilities was particularly alarming. Lack of funds threatens the health and life of the children placed in FTPC. In response to the recommendation made, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy pledged to provide funding for these services. VІ. SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR ADULTS In 2015 the NPM visited five Homes for Elderly People with Intellectual Disabilities or Dementia. The NPM found that most of the recommendations had been implemented. A major problem for all institutions for elderely people is the insufficient number of specialised and non-specialised personnel assisting residents in their daily activities. Another problem is the lack of medical experts motivated to provide quality care for the people placed in these homes. In this regard the NPM recommended to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP) to: А) Ensure funds to increase medical staff salaries, which is a major obstacle for filling in vacancies and obstructs healthcare for homes’ residents; B) Increase the number of F.T.E. positions for staff directly involved with residents’ day care as well as for assisting personnel. The Council of Ministers (CoMs) submitted in Parliament a bill amending and supplementing the Social Assistance Act (SAA). It proposes some changes in the area of social services that aim at improving access to social services and their quality, and ensuring guarantees for patients’ rights, including the right to freedom of choice, individual approach and comprehensive needs assessment. In addition, a full reform in the area of social services is envisaged through the elaboration of a special Social Services Act. This law will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of social services and their quality, as well as their monitoring, supervision, planning and funding. Launch of the New Social Services Standards operation under the 2014-2020 Operational Programme “Human Resources Development” is pending. It foresees elaboration of new standards for quality and financing, as well as a National Strategy for Long-term Care. The NPM highlights the following priorities in the area of social services for adults: 11