1.6 Visit to the Idrija psychiatric hospital It was proposed by the NPM that the hospital ensures that the rooms are always unlocked and tries to motivate the patients to participate in daily activities by animating them and organizing activities which would be particularly interesting and attractive to them. The hospital stated that, when providing health care to patients in the units, it will ensure that the patients’ rooms would be unlocked, which is already the case in the majority of cases, except in extraordinary or grounded cases which would be additionally defined by the medical specialists. The hospital added that the preliminary report of the Ombudsman does not specify which part of the current activities is not appropriate or insufficient for the patients. A particular emphasis is put on rehabilitation through activities which are a part of the activation therapy. This type of therapy for immobile or partially immobile patients is organised in the units, while other patients receive it in a special unit for activation therapy where they can participate in a broad range of additional activities, such as ceramics, computer activities and group talks. The activation therapy individually encourages patients to (according to their possibilities and medical condition) take up daily activities (taking care of personal hygiene and appearance, health care, functional mobility, functional communication, socialization etc.), leisure activities, productive activities (housekeeping, preparing food, tidying, clothing care, cleaning, landscaping, money management), care for others, education and professional activities (professional research, job searching, practising a profession and volunteering). From April 2012, the gerontopsychiatric unit organises an intervention programme with dogs in cooperation with the PET Institute and its therapy dogs. This programme includes patients with depressive and mild cognitive disorders. It is held individually or in groups. Its purpose is to improve physical, social, emotional and cognitive functions of the individual. As a part of the activation therapy, the patients take part in activities which are organised in the therapeutic garden from spring to autumn. On 1 November 2013, based on the director’s decision, the hospital began to develop and establish an additional afternoon programme of occupational therapy activities which take place during the week from 2 to 5 pm. This programme includes areas such as activities for functional flexibility and mobility (fitness, sports, such as table tennis, badminton, boules, nature walks etc.), creative activities (drawing, painting, clay, Fimo clay, Das clay and paper modelling and modelling of other materials, mosaics, seed art and other handicrafts), cognitive activities, social activities, the use of computer, borrowing books and other appropriate activities according to the patient’s wishes. The hospital believes that there is a broad and rich selection of additional activities provided to the patients during their treatment. When motivating the patients for daily activities, the personnel always respects the professional and therapeutic needs and keeps in mind the patients’ medical condition, physical and mental abilities as well as their wishes. The medical personnel motivates the patients and encourages them to participate in additional activities, however, they do not try to include those who do not want to or cannot participate due to the consequences of their mental illness. As a response to the hospital’s explanations, the NPM emphasises that the organised activities were never criticized neither for their quality nor sufficiency. The warning relates to locking of the rooms if it is done to achieve a better participation of the residents in the activities. The NPM believes that the goal should be achieved with stronger motivation of the patients or with other solutions for residents to participate in the activities. If patients persistently refuse to participate in an activity, it is more appropriate that they are able to go back into their room than to spend this time sitting, lying or even sleeping in the chairs in the hallway. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NPM IN 2013 NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM UNDER THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT 123