Nurses warn patients could die, escape from refurbished Mount Carmel garden
'Rush to inaugurate the refurbished ward and to stage a media event was prioritised over the well-being and safety of patients': MUMN
Updated 1.30pm
The nurses' union is warning that a refurbished Mount Carmel ward set to be inaugurated by the health minister on Thursday allows access to an "unsafe" therapeutic garden where people can die by suicide, harm themselves or even escape the hospital.
Times of Malta has not been invited to cover the inauguration of Block 1 Ward at the hospital, but the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses told the newspaper that Minister Jo Etienne Abela is set to inaugurate the works today.
But in comments to Times of Malta, the health authorities assured that the new wards meet international standards, and by the time patients are given access to the garden, it will have been secured to ensure the safety of all patients.
The union is seriously concerned about the lack of safety of the therapeutic garden adjoining the ward, which it says will be used by the patients in Block 1.
It said nurses there have repeatedly raised concerns with the hospital's management and the health ministry, warning that the garden posed serious risks to patients. So far, the union said, no action has been taken or reply given over the matter.
"The garden allows patients to easily escape supervision, while the size and layout of the garden may also create situations where vulnerable patients could attempt self-harm or suicide without nurses being able to intervene promptly," the union is warning.
"Not to mention that the walls of the therapeutic garden are low in height, which makes it very easy for the patients to escape."
The union is also claiming it has been informed that the therapeutic garden was never officially certified as safe for patient use by the relevant health and safety authorities prior to the inauguration.
"The rush to inaugurate the refurbished ward and to stage a media event was prioritised over the well-being and safety of patients.
"The nursing staff are refusing to take their patients to the refurbished ward since it would be just a matter of time that a serious incident would take place. This would then result with nurses facing huge legal implications," the MUMN said, insisting it did not want to witness another situation where nurses were unfairly blamed for systemic failures.
It said it was putting responsibility for any incident involving patient harm, suicide, self-injury or escape on the health minister.
Abela, it added, chose to proceed without ensuring that the necessary safeguards were implemented, despite continuous warnings and documented concern.
The union will also be writing to the Advocate General to inform him about the issue.
'New wards meet international standards'
Reacting to the nurses' concerns, Clinical Chairman of Mental Health Services Anton Grech assured that the new psychiatric wards meet international standards.
Transfer of patients to the block will be staggered, and by the time they are given access to the garden, the garden will have been secured to ensure the safety of all patients.
Designed specifically for acute psychiatric patients, both the structure and furnishings of the wards prioritise patient needs and safety, Grech said, adding that, to support recovery and wellbeing, the wards include gardens that provide essential access to nature and open spaces.
"The opening of these wards marks a significant breakthrough in mental health care, providing 46 beds within a modern, safe, and welcoming environment.
"Transfer and care of patients to the new wards will be done in a step-wise manner, with parallel safety measures, to ensure patients and staff safety both in the wards and in the therapeutic garden."