“The main consideration which arises from this fact, from a system and administration point of view, is that SVP residents suffering from dementia if the system is truly in place and is truly working should be placed in a closed ward.”

“These are specifically designed for residents suffering from dementia, where more stringent measures are in place to avoid wandering from such patients.”

It explained how in this case, Fino was placed in an open ward which allows patients to enter and leave as the resident pleases. Such wards do not have any locked doors and offer no restrictions for patients. 

Furthermore, the ward in question should have had two nurses, and not one, and the fact that only one nurse was present on the night of the incident “clearly points towards a system failure”.

“Was the ‘night shift’ also to blame for this deficiency, as the judge would appear to conclude?” it questioned.

“Why did the medical team of Fino never transfer such a patient to the closed ward? Why was this omitted from the report of the retired judge?”

“The truth is that this incident could easily have been avoided had Fino been placed in a closed ward; this is a decision which clearly does not fall within the remit of the nursing staff to make.”

In view of the recent developments, the union has also issued new directives for St Vincent de Paul and all other elderly homes in Malta, in order to protect the staff.

“MUMN is issuing directives that SVP and the elderly homes are not to admit additional patients until all wards in SVP can supply two nurses in all open wards during the night shift.”

“Also, all big open wards are not to exceed the 30 patients limit and all wards are to have at least three nurses during the day and two nurses during the night.”

“If criminal charges are submitted to the nurse involved, MUMN would issue further industrial actions it deems fit. Such directives are with immediate effect,” it said.

What do you make of the union’s statement?