Shadow minister for Health Claudio Grech said this morning that the mental health sector is too sensitive a sector to be turned into a political football, as has been done by the government, mainly due to the fact that such patients require professional care and attention.

“This why the PN is concerned over decisions that have been taken by the government during the last six months in the mental health sector, especially at a time when a number of provisions tied to the Mental Health Act, are starting to be enacted,” Mr Grech said.

Mr Grech was speaking during a meeting he held with the Mental Health Commissioner John Cachia.

He said that unfortunately, by means of a string of manoeuvres during the last months, the Labour Party in government has sidelined what the previous government built in this sector and has reintroduced partisan politics in this sector.

Outlining a number of manoeuvres, Mr Grech pointed out that Dolores Gauci, who had held the post of executive head for Mental Health, was relegated to chief operating officer for Community Mental Health Services.

He said that the government appointed a PL mayor with no background at all in this sector as COO at Mt Carmel Hospital without a call for applications.

 

MUMN lauds Clifton Grima’s managerial skills

The nursing union has lauded Mt Carmel Hospital Chief Operating Officer and former Msida mayor Clifton Grima’s managerial skills.

Speaking to this portal, the president of the union, Paul Pace said that Mr Grima has proven himself since he was appointed COO of the hospital seven months ago.

The union president’s comments come in the light of shadow health minister Claudio Grech’s comments this morning that the hospital was being turned into a political football, citing the government’s decision to terminate the job of Ms Gauci who has ample experience in the field. Media reports have suggested that Mr Grima could be the person next in line to take up Ms Gauci’s position.

Mr Grech has said that it was a grave mistake removing Ms Gauci from her role as CEO at the hospital and that the government should reconsider its decision.