- 76 234. General hospital hygiene in the patient living areas was sub-standard: for instance, dirty dormitories (pavilions 2A and 18 of the Attica State Mental Hospital), patients lying in their excrement (pavilion 16 of the Attica State Mental Hospital; Hospital for children with special needs at Leros), nauseating smell of urine (State Mental Hospital for children at Rafina, Leros Public Health Establishments). The situation in this respect was especially disturbing in pavilion 7 of the Attica State Mental Hospital and pavilion E of the Attica State Mental Hospital for Children: - the former pavilion accommodated patients of both sexes diagnosed as having severe mental handicaps. A large space at the entrance was used indiscriminately as a wash-room, diningroom and sitting-room. Ensuring hospital hygiene under such conditions is well-nigh impossible. It appeared to the delegation that matters might be improved by re-allocating and refitting the amenities (a large proportion of which were occupied by the nursing staff for their own requirements); - the latter pavilion accommodated patients afflicted with the worst mental and psychomotor handicaps. The premises were soiled with urine and faeces and, in addition, poorly ventilated. The CPT recommends that the necessary measures be taken without delay to secure elementary hospital hygiene in the patient living areas of the establishments visited. d. 235. food Patients' food was adequate from the standpoint of quantity but not in other respects. 236. At the Attica State Mental Hospital, the lack of suitable containers meant that meals were delivered cold to the pavilions, particularly those furthest from the kitchens. The delegation was informed during its visit that the purchase of suitable equipment had just been approved. The CPT hopes that the equipment will be made available without delay. 237. In the other establishments, meals were served in the form of a blended mash - also cold most of the time - regardless of patients' ability to feed themselves. In this connection, it should be stressed that food presentation is a factor not to be overlooked in a policy for the psychological and social rehabilitation of patients. The CPT recommends that the Greek authorities review current policy in this area with a view to adapting food (types of food; presentation) to patients' needs. In addition, the CPT would like to receive information about the availability of special dietary programmes for patients.