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James Debono
Elderly at St Vincent de Paul are not even being served a decent meal, according to Labour leader Alfred Sant, who during the recent MLP national protest said the mega institution’s 1,000 residents were being cheated out of 80 per cent of their pension.
It is evident that the very large size of this institution is bound to create problems.
Contacted by MaltaToday, MLP spokesperson Marie Louise Coleiro who has visited Saint Vincent De Paul several times gave an apocalyptic account on the quality of food served at Saint Vincent De Paul.
“Mashed potatoes are served in the same way food was served in the gaxin second world war. Patients, even those with a high pressure, are served junk food like sausages and diabetics are served inappropriate food like plates full of carrots and the same food is served to everyone irrespective of his or her health condition. The presentation of the food leaves a lot to be desired.”
Contacted by MaltaToday a spokesperson for the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Elderly and Community Care insisted that residents are being offered a varied menu which provides for breakfast and two full meals a day that include a starter, main course and dessert.
Asked whether due consideration is given to residents with particular health conditions like diabetes the government spokesperson insisted that “all due consideration is given to the health needs of residents.”
“Residents who require high protein diets or other forms of special diets are well taken care of. Contrary to claims made by the MLP’s spokesperson,” the government’s spokesperson insisted, “Diabetics are also served a separate diet.”
As regards claims that inappropriate food was sometimes served to the elderly, the government’s spokesperson mentioned cases when certain meals were no longer served. One of these cases involved a dish consisting of fried liver.
The government’s spokesperson also announced that “food handling courses have been taken by employees who handle food and a food presentation course is being organised for nursing officers.”
Currently all food provided by Saint Vincent De Paul is handled and cooked at the main kitchen of the residence. Asked whether inspections are carried out to ensure food standards are kept the government’s spokesperson reassured the public that “the kitchen which is inspected by Public Health Officials and the in-house infection control unit.”
“In an institution as big as SVPR, it is very difficult to satisfy each and everyone’s taste, despite the varied menu,” admitted the government’s spokesperson.
jamesd@newsworksltd.com
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