Positive changes occurred after the NPM monitoring visit to the Levonkivka Regional Psychiatric Hospital

This conclusion was reached by members of the monitoring group consisting of representatives of the Department for the Implementation of the National Preventive Mechanism of the Commissioner’s Secretariat, the regional coordinator of interaction with the public of the Commissioner in Chernihiv region Alla Lepekha, and public monitors after a repeat visit to this institution.

identified numerous violations, in order to eliminate which the Commissioner for Human Rights sent submissions to the Minister of Health, response acts to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine and the regional state administration.

On August 9, 2016, the monitoring group noted a number of positive changes in the institution during a repeat visit. In particular, by reducing the number of patients, the norm of living space per person was increased. In each of the two departments, the number of toilets and washbasins in the sanitary rooms, which are freely accessible, has been increased. Patients accompanied by staff can buy goods in the store twice a week. Control is being exercised over the use of their pensions, and four patients have had their passports renewed.

The management of the institution is doing everything possible to place patients in psychoneurological boarding schools, but due to the lack of free places in such institutions, this issue, unfortunately, is not being resolved. However, the most important thing, as noted by the participants of the monitoring visit, is that the staff, having undergone retraining at the regional psychoneurological hospital, strives to change the situation in the hospital for the better. The employees told the monitors that they correspond with the patients’ relatives so that they visit them, and with the guardians so that they properly fulfill their duties. The employees of the institution also help homeless women renew their documents and establish disability.

At the same time, the monitors noted that there are many unresolved problems in the hospital: in fact, the institution continues to perform the functions of a social institution, patients stay there for years. At the same time, their medical check-ups are not carried out, in particular, women are not examined by a mammologist, there is no possibility of dental treatment. Leisure time for patients is not organized, there is no rehabilitation at all. People with disabilities do not have individual rehabilitation programs approved by the MSEC. Due to the lack of clothing, patients look very untidy. The institution has 85 hectares of land, but small walking areas were arranged a long time ago and in such a way that patients see only stone walls and a metal mesh.

The monitoring group provided the administration and staff with explanations regarding the order of the Ministry of Health regarding physical restraint and isolation, as well as individual programs and technical means of rehabilitation, etc.

The monitors are convinced that the institution needs the help of all concerned in purchasing clothes and shoes, since the hospital budget does not provide for such expenses. Assistance in organizing leisure activities, purchasing board games or materials for needlework would also be appropriate, since, apart from watching TV programs, patients have nothing to do in the evening.

Based on the results of the monitoring visit, the Commissioner for Human Rights’ response acts will be sent to the leadership of the Ministry of Health and the regional state administration for further resolution of issues of ensuring the rights of patients in this hospital.