Nurse claims damages in sexual harassment complaint

Nurse Jane Carabott, 56, has filed a judicial protest against the Superintendent for Public Health and the Chief Medical officer, claiming abuse at the way she was three times transferred from her postings in 2008.

For 15 years she was stationed at the children's Fairyland Ward in St Luke's Hospital, but in 2008 she was transferred to the Malta International Airport's medical clinic. She claimed that her "unreasonable transfer" was made known to her in an irregular and informal manner, and that the MIA administration had not been informed of her transfer.

Carabott started reporting for work at MIA without even having the necessary pass and clearance to access her working place.

Seven months down the line, Carabott was transferred to Mount Carmel Hospital, where she claims she was subjected to "unacceptable work conditions" without ever being informed of the true reasons behind her transfers.

Through the intervention of nurses' union MUMN and following a decision from the Ombudsman in a complaint she filed, Carabott was transferred back to the MIA clinic a year later.

But Carabott alleged that upon her return she was abused by colleagues and superiors in both physical and psychological ways, leading to a complaint to the Equality Commission (NCPE) after claiming she was sexually harassed by a fellow doctor.

The nurse demanded that the Chief Medical Officer and the Superintendent of Public Health take the necessary steps to address her rights and pay her damages.

Dr Roberto Montalto signed the judicial protest.