MUMN raises concerns on therapeutic garden at Mount Carmel Hospital

Updated at 12:30pm with Anton Grech comments

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) has raised serious concerns following the inauguration of the refurbished Block 1 Ward at Mount Carmel Hospital, warning a therapeutic garden adjoining the ward poses safety risks to patients.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the union said nurses working in the area had repeatedly raised concerns with hospital management and the Health Ministry about the design and safety of the garden, which is intended for use by patients in Block 1.

According to the union, nursing staff warned the garden allows patients to escape supervision easily, while its size and layout could create situations in which vulnerable patients may attempt self-harm or suicide without nurses being able to intervene promptly. The union also said the garden walls are too low, making it easy for patients to escape.

MUMN said several emails and reports were sent by nurses to Mount Carmel Hospital management and the health and safety officer, but no action or official reply was provided.

The union also claimed the therapeutic garden was never officially certified as safe for patient use by the relevant health and safety authorities before the inauguration took place.

MUMN accused authorities of prioritising the inauguration and accompanying media event over the wellbeing and safety of patients.

“The nursing staff are refusing to take their patients to the refurbished ward since it would be just a matter of time before a serious incident takes place,” the union said, warning that nurses could face significant legal implications if an incident were to occur.

The union said it did not want to witness another situation in which nurses are blamed for systemic failures, referring to the case involving Fino at St Vincent de Paul Residence.

MUMN said any incident involving patient harm, suicide, self-injury or patient escape resulting from unresolved safety deficiencies in the ward should not be the responsibility of nurses or nursing management.

Instead, the union said responsibility would lie with the Health Minister, alleging the minister proceeded with the inauguration despite repeated warnings and documented concerns regarding the lack of adequate safety measures in the therapeutic garden.

“MUMN cannot allow patients and nursing staff to be used in a political ball game that can result in huge legal implications for nurses while the political side is never in the line of fire,” the union said.

The union added it would be writing to the Advocate General to inform him about what it described as a hazardous situation at the ward in Mount Carmel Hospital.

Anton Grech addresses concerns over new psychiatric wards

Responding to the concerns, Clinical Chairman of Psychiatry Anton Grech insisted that the new psychiatric wards at Mount Carmel Hospital meet international standards and were designed specifically for acute psychiatric patients.

Adding that both the structure and furnishings prioritise patient safety, Grech explained that the gardens were included in the wards to provide essential access to nature and open spaces supporting recovery and wellbeing. 

Grech assured that the transfer and care of patients to the new wards will be done in a wise manner with parallel safety measures, guaranteeing patients and staff safety both in the wards and in the therapeutic garden.