Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546061
NICOLE ATTARD nattard@mediatoday.com.mt 5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 AUGUST 2026 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The inquiry was appointed by the Office of the Commis- sioner for Children, following a request made last year by academic Andrew Azzopardi, who expressed concern over the quality-of-care young people were getting at the YPU, which is situated at Mount Carmel Hospital. In a formal complaint, Azz- opardi had questioned wheth- er the YPU's services met the standards of a Tier 4 mental health unit, which should pro- vide highly specialised inpatient care. Subsequently, the Children's Commissioner appointed three experts to assess if procedures helped protect the rights of children seeking mental health services. The findings were re- leased on Tuesday. The inquiry heard from chil- dren, young people, families, professionals, and service providers, highlighting the strengths and challenges of existing services in accessing timely support. It recommends a safe, child-friendly complaints mechanism that allows children to raise concerns without fear of retaliation, and ensures com- plaints are taken seriously and addressed promptly and trans- parently. The report recommends that risk assessments, including cri- sis resolution plans, be shared with relevant stakeholders. Consistent audit and feedback mechanisms should be put in place, together with staff well- being support following serious incidents, with an emphasis on improving the system rather than assigning personal blame. On staffing, the report calls for teams to keep investing in transdisciplinary, multi-cul- tural working, including more meaningful integration between foreign and Maltese nurses, supported by team meetings led by professionals experienced in group dynamics. It recommends ongoing train- ing as a priority, particularly in trauma-informed care and in supporting children with very challenging behaviour. The report also recommends appointing a clinical supervisor, ideally external to the service, with expertise in both child psychopathology and group dy- namics, to lead regular super- vision sessions and case con- ferences aimed at improving collaboration between services in complex cases and avoiding the shifting of responsibility be- tween them. Schools need structured screening The report also notes that Malta already promotes a whole-school approach to well- being through national strate- gies but says this needs to inte- grate structured screening and support into the existing frame- work, particularly where par- ents are reluctant to disclose a child's mental health needs due to fear of stigma. The report describes a wait- ing list of four to six months as too long for children needing psychiatric and psychother- apeutic support. Where such delays persist, it recommends that parents be able to access private practice and be reim- bursed, within a clearly defined framework of assessment and treatment protocols and capped reimbursement rates. The report also notes that the World Health Organisation up- dated its healthy diet guidelines in January and recommends that the food provided at the YPU remain consistent with WHO standards. The report states the YPU should only provide short-term, intensive care for children with mental health issues, not long- term hospitalisation. Placement decisions must involve both state and NGO services and pri- oritise the child's best interests. Children should be able to raise concerns without fear of retaliation Some parents are reluctant to disclose a child's mental health needs due to fear of stigma The report calls for teams to keep investing in transdisciplinary, multi-cultural working, including more meaning ful integration between foreign and Maltese nurses Man placed on probation after admitting threats against former partner over €700 dispute MATTHEW Vella appeared un- der arrest before the court charged with threatening his former part- ner, causing her alarm and distress, making threats through electronic communications, and insulting her. The court heard that the inci- dent took place on 1 August in Bormla. According to the prosecution, the dispute arose after Vella de- manded €700 from the complain- ant. She refused to give him the money, explaining that she need- ed it for their children. The argu- ment subsequently escalated and police were called to the scene. The prosecution told the court that, in her statement to police, the complainant described sever- al instances in which Vella alleg- edly directed threats and insults towards her. Some of the threats were also allegedly made through electronic communications. Vella pleaded guilty to all the charges brought against him. The defence did not contest the validity of his arrest. Taking into account the guilty plea and the circumstances of the case, the court placed Vella un- der a three-year probation order together with a three-year treat- ment order to address his alcohol and drug addiction. As part of the treatment order, he is required to provide a urine sample and undergo rehabilita- tion. The same probation officer will supervise both the probation and treatment orders and submit a progress report to the court every six months. A protection order was also is- sued in favour of the victim, pro- hibiting Vella from contacting or communicating with her. The prosecution was led by Po- lice Inspector Carlos Cordina. The accused was represented by lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Is- mael Psaila. Magistrate Nadia Vella presided over the case.