The NPM proposed that Danijel Halas Home in Velika Polana inform the general practitioner and the psychiatrist about the need to prescribe medications clearly, and ask them to define the exact quantity and period the medication may be taken when prescribing medication “as needed”, so that the maximum prescribed dose is not exceeded. In their reply to the preliminary report, the management of the home stated that they had also observed other proposals provided in the report, and had eliminated the deficiencies. The Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities stated that it had noticed similar examples to those noted by the NPM. It would therefore include the topic of medications, their administration and effects also in its education for social care service providers. The Ministry has been unsuccessful in its efforts to inform doctors of retirement homes of the findings. The NPM pointed out to Franc Salamon Retirement Home in Trbovlje that prescribing medication “as needed” must be explained in detail, so that staff know when, and how many times per day, to give medication to residents. In reply to the preliminary report, the management of the home explained that the doctor from Trbovlje Medical Centre, who implemented out-patient clinic services in the retirement home, arranged the prescribing of medication “as needed” by explaining when a resident was to take such a medication and how many times a day. The doctor made notes in residents’ medical records; the expert staff who were competent to provide such services in the retirement home were also informed about the notes. General medical and dental services The NPM commended the presence of a doctor in Danica Vogrinec Retirement Home on week days and the trial availability of a doctor also at weekends and outside business hours, and availability of the psychiatrist also outside business hours. The NPM recommended that the Jurišinci Unit and Ptuj Retirement Home agree with the psychiatrist on the days and times when she would be present in the home and the unit. The staff and residents would thus be able to prepare for her, and relatives would also be able to see her and obtain basic information on the medical condition of their relatives residing in the home. We also recommended that the Jurišinci Unit agree with the psychiatrist on the method of contact if a resident’s condition worsens between her visits. Ptuj Retirement Home particularly highlighted in their reply to the preliminary report that they agreed with the findings of the preliminary report, and stated that they would observe the proposals when planning improvements and implementing services in the future. Complaint procedures The NPM recommended that all collection boxes intended for anonymous complaints and commendations in Trubar Retirement Home be clearly and visibly marked. The possibility of anonymously expressing opinions is very important, particularly when dealing with more delicate issues or conflicting opinions of residents and staff. We repeated the recommendation we made in 2011 to Lambrecht Retirement Home in Slovenske Konjice that a box for collecting complaints (and also commendations and recommendations) be placed in the secure ward. In response to the preliminary report, the management of the home explained that the box for commendations and complaints was at the reception of the home. At the same time, they also said that due to the extension of premises in the Mavrica Unit (balcony glazing), the staff had not installed the box, but they had made it together with the residents. The reason for not installing the box in a suitable location was reconstruction or a major construction intervention. As soon as the premises are 52 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NPM IN 2016 NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM UNDER THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT