The management of Mt Carmel Hospital is to take up the advice of the Mental Health Commission to take disciplinary action against the nurses involved in the incident which occurred a few days prior to the MEP elections in May at the hospital.

The Malta Independent had revealed that a patient was allegedly force fed meat patties and beaten up by a nurse and a nursing aid after the patient requested the television channel is changed from Labour Party station One TV to TVM. The patient is understood to have had enough of watching the election campaign oriented programmes broadcast on the channel. This newsroom had interviewed the patient’s family on the matter as well.

The investigation’s conclusions of the mental health commission, which was tasked to look into the allegations, was issued on Tuesday. The police investigation has not been concluded, but this newsroom is informed that criminal proceedings were halted by the parents of the patient.

The commission found that the patient was teased over political matters, and also found irregularities the way injections were administered. This newsroom is awaiting replies from the health parliamentary secretariat to see if the nurses in question will be facing the Nursing Council. This newsroom also asked what kind of medicine was administered to the patient through injection, and whether it was given to the patient there and then. The report does not specify what kind of injection was given.

Inquiry results show that force was used to control the patient. There is no proof however, that the patient was beaten. 

The board recommended further investigation of the irregularities committed, and if warranted, disciplinary action should be taken. 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.”

The board also 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”.

Force used on mental health patient