A board set up to investigate a report published by this newsroom two months ago – that a patient at Mount Carmel Hospital was beaten and force-fed pulpetti (patties) by a member of staff for requesting that the television station is switched from One TV to another channel – found that the patient was indeed teased over political matters, and also found irregularities the way injections were administered.
The report was published in The Malta Independent on 22 May, with this newsroom following up the matter in subsequent reports.
Two days following the incident, after the report was published, the commissioner for mental health launched an inquiry board to look into the incident, find out who was responsible and to establish whether any patient rights were violated.
In total, the inquiry board interviewed 18 persons during four separate sessions, including the alleged victim, members of the staff at the ward in question, persons who intervened following the incident, a social worker who worked closely with the patient, doctors and management.
Following the inquiry, the board concluded that although the allegation that the ward’s TV was switched on a politically oriented channel cannot be proven, it however is considered it “probable and correct”.
Although the board found no evidence that the alleged victim was provoked, the board does not rule out that the patient was “teased and that given his mental condition, the situation could have easily escalated.”
Inquiry results show that force was used to control the patient, and injections were given in an irregular manner. There is no proof however, that the patient was beaten.
The board recommended further investigation of the irregularities committed, and stated that charges should be brought against those found guilty of administrating unregulated medicine. The report does not specify what kid of injection was given.
Furthermore, although members of the staff were trained to use de-escalation techniques in such circumstances, procedures were not followed adequately by all. The board recommended further training in communication skills and emotional intelligence to ensure that members of the staff are sensitive to the patient’s needs.
As regard to the use of TV in wards, the report states that a set of guidelines need to be established, particularly with regards to politically oriented programmes that might cause heated discussions among patients.
The report has now been forwarded to health minister Konrad Mizzi and parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne.
Full report
Patient beaten after requesting a break from One TV
Our son was told 'Here you go tou starving Nationalist'