Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has expressed its “disgust” at the attitude of the Mental Health Commissioner John Cachia regarding the issue of illegal immigrants admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital. 

In a statement two days ago, the MUMN ordered its members to refuse admission to illegal immigrants at Mount Carmel Hospital, reporting that nurses and patients are being put at high risk for their safety due to flagrant “abuse” by illegal immigrants in the detentions centres. 

Illegal immigrants in detention centres are purposely causing “self-harm” with the intention of being transferred to Mount Carmel Hospital to the detriment of the other patients and staff working there, the union claimed – although it did not present any evidence to back this up.

In reaction, the Mental Health Commissioner had said that persons are only admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital after appropriate assessment indicating a need for treatment.

“Having a Mental Health Commissioner issuing a statement just two hours after MUMN’s press release hiding behind the presumption that ‘prior to being admitted to MCH, an appropriate assessment of the person is conducted’ shows lack of responsibility, lack of investigative work and the laissez-faire of such a commissioner”, the MUMN said. 

The union said that the Commissioner should “have the decency, to go to MCH and visit the ‘Mixed Admission Ward’, go through the patient’s files, speak and discuss the issues with the doctors and nurses at hand ....then come to a conclusion.” 

However, they alleged that the Commissioner never left his office and issued a statement without assessing the whole picture. 

“If Dr. Cachia would have investigated, he would have seen that doctors have repeatedly refused such patients and these were only admitted due to medical legal issues. If Dr. Cachia would have investigated, he would have found that such patients are not on any form of oral treatment. Dr. Cachia never even bothered to investigate many other issues which are related to ‘illegal immigrants’”, the union said. 

“Mt. Carmel Hospital deserves better than just a daft statement”, they said. 

The MUMN said that the behaviour of illegal immigrants is jeopardising not just the nursing staff, but also the wellbeing of other patients in the same ward. 

“Speaking to the nurses, doctors and the other patients should have been a priority but it seemed clear that the Mental Health Commissioner decided to issue a statement before the weekend so that the case for him could be considered as “closed” and could enjoy the weekend”, the union said. 

Reacting to a statement by the EASO, which said that migrants are referred to the hospital because of frequent attempted suicides, the MUMN cited a 2012 Times of Malta article which stated that detainees reported attempting suicide as a form of protest against their detention conditions rather than due to mental health issues. 

“In the meantime, nurses and MCH management are seeking legal advice on the situation regarding illegal immigrants since the situation cannot be allowed to continue in Mt. Carmel”, they said. 

They added that the Mental Health Commissioner should “look into the matter more seriously and not hide behind insignificant statements” and said that they expect him to re-evaluate the situation more seriously.