Mount Carmel patients kept inside amid ‘drug use’ in its grounds

A patient at Malta’s mental health hospital has expressed frustration at being barred from going outdoors under a policy aimed at keeping vulnerable patients away from illicit drugs allegedly being consumed on the grounds.

The Mount Carmel Hospital patient told Times of Malta he had not been allowed into the grounds since arriving at the facility three weeks ago due to fears he could encounter illegal drugs he said were being consumed onsite.

John (not his real name) said that being kept inside had made his mental health and depression “very bad” and questioned why security appeared lax amid an absence of bag checks or visitor searches.

“It’s really affecting my mental health... I’m depressed and bipolar and there’s nothing to do here except eating, smoking, drinking coffee and watching TV,” he said.

I’m depressed and bipolar and there’s nothing to do here except eating, smoking, drinking coffee and watching TV- Patient

Medical sources familiar with the facility said they were aware of cocaine and synthetic cannabis being consumed on site, while warning that patients acting under the influence of illicit substances could pose a danger to staff.

The health ministry confirmed a policy restricting vulnerable patients’ movements but said security in the grounds had been “significantly reinforced in recent weeks to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment for all patients”.

The ministry neither confirmed nor denied that illicit drugs were being consumed in the grounds but said, “security personnel inspect visitors and deliveries” at the gate, with the hospital considering introducing scanners.

‘Very frustrating’

John complained he had not been allowed into the common outdoor areas of the hospital since arrival after testing positive for illicit drugs upon admission. Drug testing is a standard procedure for new arrivals.

“When you get stuck inside, it’s very frustrating; if I go for a walk... it helps me. When you walk, it sets your mind free,” he said, adding that his physical condition was also suffering due to the lack of exercise.

He said he had seen patients appearing to sell drugs to other residents, whom he said he had observed behaving erratically and energetically shortly after the exchange, suggesting drug use.

“People from the outside, visitors, give them [patients] stuff – then when other patients go into the main garden, they buy from them... everybody knows,” he said, describing an area of the grounds where “you can find anything”.

From a security point of view, there’s a lot that could be improved on- Sources

No bag checks or personal searches were carried out when Times of Malta visited the hospital. Staff indicated they were aware of drug use within the common outdoor areas when approached about the topic.

Calling for tighter security, John urged authorities to “search the bags, search the people, have a policeman with a [drug-sniffing] dog – that would solve half the problems”.

“I’m p*ssed off; I’m stuck in here because of those people and the people that make the rules.”

John’s family confirmed his experiences and the impact of his being kept inside, with one relative saying “it cannot go on like this” and that the hospital “needs to solve the drug problem”.

‘A lot to be improved on’

Meanwhile, John’s experiences appear to be borne out by the experiences of medical sources familiar with the hospital, who said, “security and staff are aware of what happens” and that without tighter security, “anything could be snuck in”.

“From a security point of view, there’s a lot that could be improved on,” sources said.

They called for a “heavier police presence – without patients feeling like they’re in prison” and said they “100 per cent” supported checks on visitors entering Mount Carmel.

They added that they wanted to see less stigma attached to being a patient at the facility, however, while stressing that staff were “doing their best”.

‘Detailed personal searches’

The health ministry said the hospital continuously monitors patient safety within its facilities.

“Precautionary measures are applied in specific cases, particularly involving patients with substance related challenges, and restrictions may be imposed where appropriate in the interest of patients’ well-being,” a ministry spokesperson said.

“Patients who test positive for illicit substances upon admission, and patients who are considered clinically to be of risk, are restricted from accessing common outdoor areas... to safeguard the therapeutic environment and protect the wellbeing of all patients.”

Security procedures in place include ward searches, ranging from “property checks to more detailed personal searches, carried out professionally and respectfully by healthcare staff”, the spokesperson said.

“At the hospital gate, security personnel inspect visitors and deliveries, and the police officer on duty is immediately called if dangerous or prohibited items are found”. Times of Malta did not observe checks being carried out at the gate during its visit.

The facility “continuously reviews its protocols to ensure adequacy and effectiveness. In addition to current measures, the introduction of scanning equipment is being explored to further strengthen the hospital’s ability to detect and prevent the entry of illicit substances or dangerous items,” the spokesperson said.

“Mount Carmel Hospital remains committed to maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment and to refining procedures in line with best practice and legal standards.”