- 13 2. Ill-treatment 23. The CPTs delegation received hardly any allegations of ill-treatment by staff. On the contrary, the Committee notes positively that, in most of the establishments visited by its delegation, patients spoke well of staff. In general, a caring attitude towards patients and a relaxed atmosphere were in evidence, especially at Dromokaiteio and Sotiria Hospitals, where patients generally enjoyed a less confined environment. Nevertheless, the delegation did receive some isolated allegations of ill-treatment by staff at Athina Vrilissia Private Clinic, consisting of punches on the back, of restraint straps being applied too tightly, and of verbal abuse16. The CPT recommends that a clear message be communicated to staff at Athina Vrilissia Private Clinic that such behaviour is unacceptable. Further, management should ensure that all staff members working in contact with patients are properly trained in verbal de-escalation skills and authorised control and restraint techniques. 24. The CPT’s delegation received a small number of allegations of violence among patients at the continuing care wards at Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital. In particular, certain patients alleged that they had been assaulted by other patients while they had been restrained. The CPT recommends that staff at Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital be vigilant as to signs or risks of inter-patient violence and be prepared to intervene rapidly (see also paragraph 40). The CPT’s delegation also encountered two patients at Athina Psychiatric Clinic who presented recent facial injuries (periorbital haematoma) which could not, in the delegation’s view, be reasonably explained as accidents – contrary to the assertions of staff – and which had not been duly documented in any registers or files. Due to the limited mental capacity of the patients involved, it was not possible to communicate with them in order to establish the origin of their injuries. The CPT recommends that steps be taken at all psychiatric establishments, including private clinics such as Athina Psychiatric Clinic, to ensure that all injuries suffered by patients are diligently recorded, including on body maps, and that the patients concerned are examined by a doctor who should treat, if necessary, and describe the injuries. Whenever such injuries are indicative of possible ill-treatment or inter-patient violence, even in the absence of an allegation to this effect, the record should be systematically brought to the attention of the relevant prosecutor. 16 See also paragraph 62 with regard to Korydallos Prison Psychiatric Hospital.