20 Grasping the nettle: Ending Europe’s Trade in Execution and Torture Technology patients.” 78 According to information – originally in Czech - that was available on an Audy s.r.o website until at least January 2015, the network bed has the following dimensions: length: 204cm, width: 88cm and height: 170cm. According to the company website: “The structure is made of high quality steel material with powder coated finish… The whole bed is strung nets with high strength. The network in the front part is mounted on two guide rods and on the slider, which forms the input. The rider is on both ends bearings for easy opening and closing beds. A simple lock with hidden latch that can be released tipped pens, it is possible to insure a padlock.”79 On 22 May 2015, in response to an information request from Amnesty International and Omega, Audy s.r.o. stated that the company had ceased manufacturing net-beds several years ago and that the information highlighted was from an out of date catalogue that was replaced in 2009. The information highlighted has subsequently been removed from the company website. A “network bed” has also been promoted on the website of a second Czech company, the “laboratory and medical equipment opting service.”80 According to information – originally in Czech - on the company website, the bed has the following dimensions: width: 880mm, length: 1975mm, height: 1705mm.81 The bed is promoted for the, “physical isolation of restless patients for psychiatric departments, institutes, home care…” and the bed is described as “non-lockable” and a “healthy person is able to dismantle the front and leave the bed.”82 It is, however, unclear whether a very young, elderly, infirm or disturbed patient could release themselves from this bed. The manufacturer of the “network bed” is not identified on the website. Information about this “network bed” was available until 11 May 2015. However, following a request for further information from Amnesty International and Omega, the company has removed all information concerning the“network bed” from its website. Serious concerns about the use of net-beds in psychiatric hospitals have previously been raised by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) and medical rights organisations. On 31 March 2015 the CPT published a report of its most recent visit to the Czech Republic,83 in which it stated that, “The CPT has repeatedly expressed its serious misgivings about the use of net-beds and recommended that the Czech authorities pursue a policy of putting an end to their use in psychiatric hospitals as soon as possible. Regrettably, the findings of the 2014 visit indicate that there has been no progress in this respect.”84 The CPT report highlights the use of net-beds at Kosmonosy Psychiatric Hospital which “give rise to particular concern.” According to the CPT there were some 30 net-beds used in seven of the establishment’s 15 wards. As a rule, between four and six net-beds were located in one room in each of the wards concerned, and patients were thus restrained in full view of each other. In addition the CPT noted that there was, “no possibility of direct visual contact with staff, let alone continuous, direct and personal supervision by staff. Regular inspections by staff of patients placed in net-beds carried out every two hours cannot substitute for this measure.”85 The Committee also highlighted the excessive duration of placement of certain patients in net-beds. For example, according to the registers examined by the delegation, one patient has been restrained in a net-bed for a total of almost 2,600 hours (i.e. the equivalent of 108 days) during some 180 days since 18 October 2013. Another patient was placed in a net-bed between 22 September 2013 and 4 March 2014 (163 days) for more than 1,800 hours (i.e. the equivalent of 75 days). The risks linked with the use of net-beds and the need for supervision were illustrated by another case, namely that of a 51-year old woman who died in a net-bed at Dobřany Psychiatric Hospital in January 2012. According to the CPT, “The patient concerned was reportedly placed in a net-bed on the day of her admission to the hospital and, after having spent several hours therein, she tore the net and strangulated herself in the loop. Allegedly, this happened despite constant CCTV-coverage of the net-bed where the patient was placed.” 86 78 Original Czech wording: “Síťové lůžko pro neklidné pacienty” See Czech language version of Audy s.r.o website, http://www.audy.cz/ katalog/luzka/ (accessed 17 April 2015). 79 See Czech language version of Audy s.r.o website, http://www.audy.cz/katalog/luzka/ (accessed 17 April 2015). 80 Laboratorní a zdravotnická technika OPTING servis website, http://www.optingservis.cz/index.php/odnstrana-mainmenu-27 (accessed 11 May 2015). 81 Laboratorní a zdravotnická technika OPTING servis website http://www.optingservis.cz/index.php/nabidka-zboi/649-sovlko-pro-neklidnpacienty (accessed 11 May 2015). 82 Laboratorní a zdravotnická technika OPTING servis website, http://www.optingservis.cz/index.php/nabidka-zboi/649-sovlko-pro-neklidnpacienty (accessed 11 May 2015). 83 CPT, Report to the Czech Government on the visit to the Czech Republic carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 1 to 10 April 2014, CPT/Inf (2015) 18, 31 March 2015. 84 CPT (March 2015) op.cit., paragraph 169. 85 CPT (March 3015) op.cit., paragraph 170. 86 CPT (March 3015) op.cit., paragraph 170. Amnesty International May 2015 Index: EUR 01/1632/2015