At the beginning of February 1999 Slovene Ombudsman Mr. Ivan Bizjak presented 'Special Report on Problems Faced When Dealing with Persons Experiencing Mental Problems'.

The report analyses the situation in some psychiatric clinics and social institution Ombudsman has visited. Persons with mental problems are of particular interest to the ombudsman because of their being marginalised and especially vulnerable and at times helpless. In addition, their lives as a rule unfold in psychiatric clinics and behind closed doors.

Mr. Bizjak has pointed out how insufficiently defined the legal framework is and how inappropriate implementation of the existing pieces of legislation is in the filed of non-voluntary detention in health and social institution. For instance, the beginning of the involuntary detention is not regulated in national legislation at the moment. It is not defined what to do when a patient refuses to be institutionalised. Neither doctors' authority is regulated nor the assistance of police when it would be necessary to enter the patient's apartment. The existing legislation is lacking about the rights of patients in mental hospitals and of those in social institutions.

This legislative void and lacking legislation made Ombudsman point out in the special report how vital it was for Slovenia to draft a bill on mental health as soon as possible.

'Special Report on Problems Faced When Dealing with Persons Experiencing Mental Problems' has been sent to two parliamentary committees (for justice and health and labour), to the speaker of parliament and to three ministers. The National Assembly is also expected to discuss it. The special report is also available on the Internet.

 At the beginning of February 1999 Slovene Ombudsman Mr. Ivan Bizjakpresented 'Special Report on Problems Faced When Dealing with PersonsExperiencing Mental Problems'.

The report analyses the situation in some psychiatric clinics andsocial institution Ombudsman has visited. Persons with mental problemsare of particular interest to the ombudsman because of their beingmarginalised and especially vulnerable and at times helpless. Inaddition, their lives as a rule unfold in psychiatric clinics andbehind closed doors.

Mr. Bizjak has pointed out how insufficiently defined the legalframework is and how inappropriate implementation of the existingpieces of legislation is in the filed of non-voluntary detention inhealth and social institution. For instance, the beginning of theinvoluntary detention is not regulated in national legislation at themoment. It is not defined what to do when a patient refuses to beinstitutionalised. Neither doctors' authority is regulated nor theassistance of police when it would be necessary to enter the patient'sapartment. The existing legislation is lacking about the rights ofpatients in mental hospitals and of those in social institutions.

This legislative void and lacking legislation made Ombudsman point outin the special report how vital it was for Slovenia to draft a bill onmental health as soon as possible.

'Special Report on Problems Faced When Dealing with PersonsExperiencing Mental Problems' has been sent to two parliamentarycommittees (for justice and health and labour), to the speaker ofparliament and to three ministers. The National Assembly is alsoexpected to discuss it. The special report is also available on theInternet.