One day after Health Minister Chris Fearne categorically announced that no patients are being kept in the corridors at Mater Dei Hospital, a reader sent in this photo showing that this is not the case.

On Tuesday, Minister Fearne told Parliament that there are no more patients in hospital corridors, describing this as “a stark contrast” with the 2,009 patients that were treated in corridors in 2015. In 2012, the number of such patients was 8,118.

The photo sent to us by a reader shows at least three patients lying on stretchers in the corridors at the Accident and Emergency Department. It is not known how long they stayed there.

Editorial note: Following comments appearing below, challenging the authenticity of the photo as well as the day it was taken, The Malta Independent feels obliged to confirm that the photo was taken on Wednesday, 19 October, a day after the minister announced there are no patients in the hospital corridor.

In a statement this evening, the Health Ministry said that the patients in the photo were not receiving treatment but were waiting medical tests or the result of such tests.