A patient at Mount Carmel Hospital was beaten and force-fed pulpetti (patties) earlier this week by a member of staff for simply requesting that the television station is switched from One TV to another channel, this media house is informed.

It is understood that the TV was on all day airing One TV programmes and the patient had had enough of politically orientated programmes.

The patient, a male, has been transferred from Ward 7 to another ward following the incident. He suffered a black eye.

Contacted for a comment, hospital COO Clifton Grima (pictured) initially said that he was unaware of the incident and that he would be investigating the matter. A few hours later, when this portal contacted Mr Grima once again, he replied that he handed over the report to the ministry.

In replies sent to this portal, the ministry said that the administrative head of Mt Carmel launched an investigation regarding an alleged case of violence in one of the wards.

The alleged case, which involved a patient and member of staff, was referred to the police.

The member of staff was transferred till the investigation is concluded.

An hour and the half after this portal revealed the incident, the ministry issued a statement to the media.

The Commissioner of Mental Health has also launched an investigation.

PN reacts

The Nationalist Party has condemned the incident reported by The Malta Independent online and said that it is unacceptable that the authorities kept the matter hidden until it was made public on the media.

It is worse that the secretariat for health transferred the employee in question rather than suspending him or her until the investigation is concluded.

The PN expects the Mental Health Commissioner to react to the report of violence used against a vulnerable person. The PN calls for an independent inquiry and not an internal one.

No employee should act as a bully and patients at Mount Carmel Hospital deserve better treatment. 

Commissioner launches investigation

The Office of the Mental Health Commissioner issued a statement saying that following the reports he has launched an investigation to establish the facts of the case at hand and determine any action or make recommendations which may be required to protect the welfare of patients.