One of two nursing aides involved in alleged abuse of elderly residents at the St Vincent De Paul residence has been suspended on half pay following a thorough investigation, The Malta Independent has learnt.

He was suspended a couple of weeks ago. It is not known whether he willreturn to his job pending further investigations but sources said the likelihood is that he will return.

Early last month, this newsroom revealed that two nursing aides at St Vincent de Paul were transferred to another ward after they allegedly assaulted elderly patients in separate incidents. But it later transpired that one of the nursing aides was not transferred and was kept in the ward despite the victim’s calls for his removal from the ward. Coincidentally, the victim has since passed away.

These two cases followed another case of alleged abuse by a nursing aide who was charged in court. One of the two has now been suspended, sources close to the hospital confirmed.

In comments to this newsroom, 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 and that any cases of abuse are dealt with immediately”.

The nursing union had expressed concern that its members were being discriminated against.The PN had complained that the administration of the hospital does not use the same yardstick with all persons involved in abuse of the elderly.