Last Sunday, The Malta Independent on Sunday revealed that two St Vincent de Paul nursing aides were transferred to another ward after they had allegedly assaulted elderly patients. These two cases followed another case of alleged abuse by a nursing aide in just a matter of weeks.

Sources who spoke to this newsroom questioned why the SVPR management did not report these abuse cases to the police in the same way it had reported similar cases. The wards in question, where the alleged abuse took place, are St Joseph Ward 8 and Padre Pio Ward.

But in a new development, this newsroom has been informed that one of the two nursing aides has not been removed from the ward – the Padre Pio ward – where one of the victims is located and the abuse allegedly took place, despite calls made by the victim to have him removed.

The fact that he was not removed from the ward, sources said, is contrary to the wishes of the patient, who has requested the nursing aide’s removal from the ward following the incident.

SVPR CEO Josianne Cutajar had said that “in line with its zero-tolerance policy against abuse of the elderly, this government enacted a much-needed law which stipulates harsher penalties and wider criteria to what stipulates wrongdoing.

“This law adds more responsibility on who is authorised to take care of the elderly. 

All cases of abuse are immediately being reported to the competent authorities for necessary investigations, and eventual actions, according to the particular merits of the case.

The Administration once again urges victims, or anyone aware of similar offences, to report the abuse,” Dr Cutajar said. At no point in her reply did she refer to these two cases in question or indicate that a police report was lodged.

Before these two incidents came to light, another nursing aide was charged in court with the alleged abuse of an elderly patient.