Mount Carmel Hospital, Malta’s mental health facility which of late has been in the spotlight for its serious shortcomings, is planned to have standards on par with Mater Dei General Hospital, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne.
Last week, a patient was found dead after he escaped the hospital through a bathroom window. Hospital sources told local media that if more staff were present, the incident could have possibly been avoided.
A recent report by Mental Health Commissioner John Cachia also highlighted that despite an improvement in patient care, there is the need to better safety within the hospital, and to invest towards more professional education, amongst other factors.
Asked what the concrete plan for Mount Carmel is, also in light of last week’s incident, Fearne pointed towards increasing annual funds for hospital refurbishments to circa ten times the current amount, a “long-term structured plan” and increasing the efficiency of nurses, amongst others.
“When it comes to Mount Carmel itself, I am pleased to announce that the government is working on the refurbishment of the hospital in haste,” he said, “and whereas up till now, money for refurbishment works would have been about half a million euro, from this year, and in coming years, we will be increasing it to five or six million, until the work, which has not been done for about 115 years, is completed.”
Fearne went on to explain that infrastructural work which has begun includes changing water pipes and electricity, fixing ceilings and working on the hospital “hall by hall”. He said that one of the halls which is nearing completion and will open at the end of next month cost approximately €1million.
“The infrastructural work at Mount Carmel is underway at a fast pace, and then plan is that in four or five years we would have done the necessary refurbishment in order for Mount Carmel to be practically on a par with Mater Dei,” he said.
Turning to the topic on staff, Fearne said that the issue has been discussed with the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) in the past few days. “We are seeing not only how to increase staff, but also how to use the resources we have more efficiently, and I think we are moving forward with that too,” he said. He added that, despite efforts, attracting nurses is a difficult feat.
Asked about the transfers of nurses which was a cause of concern some months back, Fearne argued that requests for turnovers and transfers of nurses are common in every entity. “It is normal for nurses to request to move from where they are to somewhere else. Some would have specialized or completed a Masters degree in a specific category, then obviously would want to work in that area,” he said.
Ten-year health strategy being discussed with Barts, Queen Mary University
Fearne went on to speak about the long-term mental health strategy which he deems important. He said that he is working together with Queen Mary and Barts University to create s ten-year strategy.
“We are working together with Queen Mary and Bart’s to create a strategy for ten years for the health of our country, in which mental health is going to be prominent. Which, above others, include having an acute mental health hospital near Mater Dei,” he said.
Mental Health Commissioner report set to be discussed in parliament committee
The report published by Mental Health Commissioner John Cachia last month is set to be discussed in the Committee of Social Affairs in Parliament, Fearne said, where Cachia will be invited to attend and discuss with members of parliament, including Fearne.