21 Selected topics from 2018 Coercive measures still widely used in the mental healthcare services The UN Committee against Torture also raised several problematic issues relating to the mental healthcare services. The extent of the use of coercive measures and other means of force gave particular cause for concern. It was pointed out that forced medication constituted a risk of lasting and irreversible harm. The committee also criticised the lack of attempts at using less invasive measures before forced treatment was initiated, and that the authorities lacked an overview and control when electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was administered without consent. The committee recommended a number of measures, including that the authorities ››ensure that the patients’ dignity is preserved and that attempts at eliminating unlawful use of force be continued, including by considering further legislative amendments ››establish efficient procedural safeguards for the patients, including by ensuring effective complaint mechanisms ››ensure clear and detailed rules for the use of coercive measures, including restraint beds, with a view to achieving a significant reduction in both scope and duration ››consider eliminating forced treatment with intrusive and irreversible effects, such as ECT ››ensure reparation and rehabilitation for persons subjected to arbitrary psychiatric treatment against their will, without procedural safeguards and independent supervision The UN Human Rights Committee also expressed concern about the use of force in the mental healthcare services in its observations regarding Norway.5 5 See note above, paragraph 22–23. Criticism of the conditions at Trandum The committee was concerned about the treatment of detainees at the police immigration detention ­centre at Trandum. The committee referred among other things to the use of body searches that the detainees experienced as humiliating. The lack of routine medical examinations on arrival was ­problematised, and many municipalities’ long waiting times and lack of willingness to offer health services to this group of people was considered particularly worrying. It could in this respect become impossible to identify signs of torture and provide the necessary treatment to those concerned. The committee recommended that the authorities ensure that persons detained at Trandum receive treatment in accordance with international standards, including that ››the authorities ensure full protection against future persecution or torture ››detainees promptly receive an offer of a medical examination on arrival at the detention centre ››procedures be established to identify victims of torture and to assess the risk of torture in cases of deportation