‘Incidents inevitable at mental hospital’ - union declares industrial dispute over shortage of nurses

Understaffing at the State mental hospital meant unfortunate incidents involving patients had become "inevitable", concerned nurses have complained. "The situation is unbearable and, quite frankly, it can be unsafe for patients and medical staff alike. It's only a matter of time until we hear of another unfortunate incident that could have been avoided had there been more staff," a nurse at Mount Carmel Hospital said. The nurse contacted the Times of Malta, insisting on anonymity, after a patient meant to be under constant supervision escaped from the hospital on May 20. Briton Tom Stewart, 59, was still missing yesterday after climbing a tree and jumping over the hospital walls while in an internal garden with his wife. He is the fourth patient to have escaped from the compound since April. A number of nurses have since contacted this newspaper, expressing concern that staff shortages in the hospital meant the level of care certain patients required was not being provided. Their biggest worry was with regard to the provision of what is known as level-one supervision, which is ordered for those who require constant monitoring. "How can we provide that level of care when wards...

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