Concluding findings of the thematic visit The NPM determined that the majority of institutions visited had drawn up lists of activities for their patients or residents. However, it was frequently revealed from such lists that no major or important activities were anticipated at weekends. This time was intended particularly for relatives’ visits and going outdoors for residents or patients who had no visitors. No special weekend activities for maintaining motor or working skills were anticipated in the institutions due to the absence of a physiotherapist and occupational therapist. The activities particularly depend on the time the staff may, or are ready to, spend on exercise and other activities. All of the above, and as we were able to determine during visits and particularly when speaking to patients or residents and staff, points to the fact that the reason for limited weekend activities lay primarily in the lack of staff on the wards of institutions where persons with mental disorders were kept. If there is only one employee or perhaps two in the best case, it is unrealistic to expect that, in addition to their other duties (care, help with feeding, preparation and distribution of medication and similar), they would be able to spend quality time with residents in the ward. It is thus common for patients or residents to sit in the wards on their own, watch television and similar. We believe that the competent ministries must immediately review staffing standards in hospitals and social care institutions and observe patients’ and residents’ need to spend time actively in secure wards or special supervision wards at the weekend. Some institutions emphasised in their replies to the preliminary report that staffing standards, partly also due to their obsolescence, no longer meet the needs of (current) service users in these institutions. Moreover, the claims that they had been highlighting the need to change standards for some time, and nothing was done about this, is most concerning. As a particular deficiency let us mention the lack of instructions for the staff provided by an occupational therapist and physiotherapist about which activities should be implemented during weekends. The preparation of suitable materials and tools for such activities would also be necessary. An example of good practice is when certain tasks or activities are determined in an individual agreement between an occupational therapist and a patient or resident, who is then encouraged to do such tasks at the weekend by the staff, who also help and direct the patient or resident. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we encountered staff in most of the institutions concerned who, despite having many (other) duties and tasks, still manage to find time for residents or patients, to sit with them, talk to them, participate in board games, read to them or take them outside in the area surrounding the institution. Such conduct by the staff, their effort and care for residents or patients is commended, and we also encourage them to continue such practice. 4.3 Visits to special social care institutions In 2016, we visited two special social care institutions (Dutovlje and Nina Pokorn Home in Grmovje) and a unit of a combined social care institution, i.e. the Marof unit of Idrija Retirement Home. When visiting the latter unit, we conducted a regular visit, during which we examined the circumstances important for the final assessment of possible inappropriate treatment in the relevant institution. As part of the thematic visit, we visited Nina Pokorn Home in Grmovje, where we examined the type and quantity of weekend activities provided for residents or patients. During a (control) visit to Dutovlje social care institution, we particularly verified the observance of recommendations made upon the visit in 2015. The visits were carried out during regular control planned in advance, and were unannounced. The visits took place according to an established order; at the beginning of a visit, we split up, so that one part of the control group conducted an interview with the management of the institution or a unit, and the other part of the group, usually NGO representatives, went to the secure ward (or secure wards if there were more of them in an institution), where they inspected all rooms, spoke to staff and residents, and monitored life on the ward for a while, i.e. particularly the treatment of residents and staff conduct. During the concluding discussion, we informed the management of our findings and made initial recommendations. Following each visit, the group prepared a report with findings and recommendations. One if the integral parts of the report for the Marof unit of Idrija Retirement Home was the opinion of the expert from the psychiatric field who visited the home at a later date 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 65