Commissioner for Older Persons Godfrey La Ferla has expressed his "deep concern" over the current situation regarding blocked admissions to residential and nursing homes for elderly people.
The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) had issued directives that St Vincent de Paul (SVP) and elderly homes are not to admit additional patients until a number of issues were solved after the Carmelo Fino case.
"I am pleased to note that several measures have recently been announced in the budget speech which include further investment in this very vital sector. However, I would like to focus on the elderly people who are being admitted to Mater Dei Hospital for acute medical treatment. Once admitted, these patients are given the necessary treatment as in-patients. A large proportion of these may then return to the community after being discharged from hospital. Unfortunately, a not insignificant number of these patients are unable to return home for whatever reason and are therefore referred to homes for long term care. Needless to say, referrals and transfers must occur in the shortest possible time for two reasons," the Commissioner said.
Firstly, he said that it is essential that the appropriate care is targeted expeditiously to these people, in places and facilities specially designed for them. "These facilities are regulated by the Social Care and Standards Authority and it is Government's intention to ensure that standards are of the highest level."
"Secondly it is of paramount importance that the acute beds at Mater Dei Hospital are utilized for that purpose. We are all aware of the fact that as winter approaches and the number of acute cases increase, unless acute beds are instantly available, long queues quickly develop in the Accident and Emergency Department. This inevitably leads to delays in treatment, bed availability problems and subsequent cancellation of surgical operations. It stands to reason that it is in the national interest that this situation is avoided, and especially so after we have just emerged from the crisis in the health sector as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic," the Commissioner added.
The Commissioner said that it is "regrettable" to observe that there has been a cooling in the relationship between the Health and Active Aging Ministries and the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses. "On the one hand, we have the relevant government entities willing and ready to invest heavily in this sector in order to continue improving patient care. On the other hand, MUMN is insisting on safeguarding members' rights. The Commissioner's Office cannot overlook the fact that the relationship between the two entities deteriorated dramatically after the death of Carmelo Fino, following his disappearance from St. Vincent de Paule. Whilst this serious incident cannot be ignored, this Office cannot but insist that unless this dispute is resolved immediately, further tragedies are likely."
"Thus, this Office is soliciting the good sense of all parties to seek a resolution to this dispute. Our society is duty bound to ensure that all the essential services to both the elderly as well as all patients presenting with acute problems are of a high standard and delivered in a timely fashion. Such services of care, that we are all so proud of, should never be used as a bargaining chip, no matter the circumstances. Humanity expects a lot more."