ANNUAL REPORT 2019-OMBUDSMANNATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM Geriatric male unit (IV unit) During the inspection of the premises in the geriatric male unit, the NPM team determined that old beds with bars were placed in these rooms. The beds had no mattresses but improvised sponges that were torn and with holes in them. The sheets were in terrible condition with faces, urine, stains, torn. Patients’ pyjamas were in very poor condition, dirty, with spots. One of the patients was found with a metal can lid that could seriously endanger patients’ safety. The NPM team recommends taking special care of the type of items or hygiene items given to patients, due to the danger of abuse and possible poisoning, especially of patients who manifest suicidal ideation or have made such allegations. At the entrance in front of the rooms and in front of the toilets, there was faeces. The NPM team concluded that the rooms in which the patients are housed are completely ruined, in a terrible hygienic condition. There was a lot of moisture and mould on the walls, windows and radiators. Some of the walls were made dirty with faeces. An unbearable stench spread throughout the unit. After talking with one of the employees, the NPM team was informed that in the toilet intended for staff, the ceiling is constantly leaking, and it is connected to drainage pipes and at any time can cause serious health problems for employees. Also, the employees complained about the extremely poor hygienic conditions in which they work and that they are constantly exposed to infections and bacteria. The toilet in this unit was not renovated and was in a very poor condition. The sanitary facilities to meet the physiological needs and intended for showering were in very poor condition. The shower was not working, the tiles in the whole toilet were broken and the only part that was functional were the taps. The sanitary unit was in a dilapidated condition, in unhygienic conditions, and there was no water tank. The NPM team stated that in general the condition of the toilets in this unit is at a terribly low level and there is no ventilation system. Within this unit there is a dining room that has a sufficient number of chairs and corresponds to the capacity of this unit. The food is brought from the main kitchen. Hygiene is maintained by an appropriate agency hired by the institution. Geriatric Female Unit (VII unit) The persons in this unit are accommodated on the basis of a given consent for voluntary treatment. Unbearable stench is felt at the very entrance to the unit. The NPM team was informed that this unit accommodates people who are not able to take care of themselves and need constant medical supervision. The NPM team inspected the pharmacy in the nurse’s room. All medicines had a good expiration date and anticonvulsant therapies, antibiotics, and daily therapy received by the patients were available. The NPM team also inspected the book for records of admitted patients and several patient files at random. The NPM team tried to talk to several patients, but because it was a unit that accommodated difficult cases of patients, elderly people, they were not 158