4. Hospitals for long-term patients »»»» 4. Hospitals for long-term patients 1 visit “I appreciate the work of the personnel, who are overburdened and work for little money. Their numbers present in the facilities cannot provide the patients with corresponding care, in spite of all their efforts. This leads to infringements of dignity and privacy of patients. This is where the Ministry must help and provide more staff,” said Ms Anna Šabatová at a press conference. Report summarising visits in 2015 and 2016 The report comprises recommendations for practice and we have therefore sent it to all hospitals, supervisory bodies and vocational schools. Together with experts who took part in the visits, we want to present the contents of the report through lectures in individual regions. Ill-treatment was undisputed in one of the cases where mechanical restraints were used illegitimately. Very risky is the use of tranquillizers as they are administered based on prescriptions that are vague and written very broadly. There is also a problem related to insufficient prevention of malnutrition, lack of rehabilitation and unwarranted interferences with the patients’ intimacy and privacy. The premises in a number of facilities contain barriers, do not support activity and orientation in reality.  Summary report on visits to hospitals for long-term patients From recommendations for the Ministry of Health: ―― Increase staffing and its financing. ―― Promote the use of palliative care in the facilities. ―― Raise awareness of the concepts of living will and declaration in anticipation of incapacity. ―― Incorporate in the methodology materials on use of means of restraint, among other things, work with the plan of managing restlessness and principles of prescribing and administering tranquillizers.   Did you know that... ―― many shortcomings can be avoided by a more sensitive and individualised manner of providing care? However, the minimum number of personnel in care set by the relevant decree is insufficient for this. ―― sedatives may constitute a means of restraint ? A decision on the use of tranquillizers has to be made by a physician and all cases should be monitored. ―― certain acts and tools of nursing care and regime measures also have a restraining effect? The principle of necessity and safeguards against misuse also apply here. 19