The NPM team concluded that the toilets in the chronic male unit have not been renovated and they are in unenviable condition and have not been adapted to the needs of this category of persons, more precisely, a sanitary unit is still used. The NPM team recommends reducing the number of patients in the accommodating rooms, renovating the unit (renovating the bathroom and toilets), and providing decent and humane conditions for patients in the accommodating rooms (providing cupboards, new beds and mattresses, etc.), in general improving the hygienic conditions for patients. “Everyone with a mental illness has the right to a safe and secure environment.” Having in mind the above, the NPM team found a violation of the legally guaranteed rights of patients for a minimum of humane treatment and a safe environment. The NPM team noted that in addition to the extremely poor material conditions (cracked and damp walls, unpleasant odours, extremely low hygiene), the life of patients was also very monotonous. Chronic female unit (VII unit) NPM inspected several rooms in this unit. During the inspection of the rooms, NPM determined that there were 6 beds in them, the beds were equipped with new mattresses, clean and new bedding owned by the hospital which were given as a donation. The floor of the premises is coated with new laminate, and in the premises radiators (central heating) are properly installed. The rooms, in addition to beds, are equipped with tables and chairs, as well as cabinets for storing personal belongings, and within this unit there is a separate living room. The unit also has a separate living room. While inspecting this room, the NPM team concluded that the ceiling had recently fallen on the dining room, so it was closed and was no longer in operation. The chairs and dining tables were set up in the hallway in front of the rooms where the patients were staying. From the conversation with the medical staff, they pointed out that the floor is in a terrible condition and that they expect it to fall at any moment. NPM also inspected the toilets and the shower in this unit, and determined that they were renovated and the hygiene was at a satisfactory level. The bathroom has 4 showers and central water heating, and patients must take a shower once a week. The washing machine did not work, and the NPM team was informed that patients wash their clothes in the toilets themselves, and once a week the large laundry is used, but not all patients want to use it. www. ombudsman.mk 157