Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/176463
News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2013 Inquiry confirms 10 minors placed in adult wards at Mt Carmel Hospital Commissioner for Mental Health does not exclude 'potential for exposure of minors to sexual or physical abuse', in a situation Health Minister deems 'unacceptable' MIRIAM DALLI AN investigation carried out by Commissioner for Health John Cachia and his office has confirmed that minors were being treated in the same wards housing adults at Mount Carmel Hospital. The issue was first brought to light by MUMN president Paul Pace who said that young children, aged 16 or less, were placed with adults in certain wards at MCH, exposed to sexual abuse and physical violence. The Commissioner's investigation confirmed that 10 minors aged between 13 and 17 were treated at adult wards. "The potential for exposure of minors to sexual or physical abuse, as has been alleged, cannot be excluded," the Commissioner said, noting that there was general consensus that treatment of minors in adult wards is "not ideal". The Commissioner said the present structure and set up of the Young People's Unit was not sufficient to cater for the case mix of adolescents currently requiring admission at a mental health facility. "It is also pertinent to highlight that, under the current circumstances, there arise situations where for reasons of safety of other minors, care provided at an adult ward could An investigation confirmed that 10 minors aged between 13 and 17 were treated in adult wards at Mount Carmel Hospital in Attard be justified." According to the Commissioner, the management of the hospital was "protecting" minors treated as inpatients at the adult wards by providing Level 1 supervision. The Office of the Commissioner also noted that the management was now developing a strategy to provide a more efficient and effective mental health service to children and adolescents. Discussions between MHC and social welfare services are to commence shortly. Reacting to the findings of the report, the Health Ministry said it was taking the results "very seriously" and will implement the recommendations. "This will be done keeping in mind the Commissioner's comment that the proposals were made by the same Office in earlier discussions with the Mount Carmel Hospital Management over the past two years," the ministry pointed out. The ministry said the investigation it ordered, concluded within a week, triggered a review of all cases and resulted in a significant reduction of minors being treated in adult wards. The Ministry said it was "very se- Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia rious and totally unacceptable" that the minors were being treated at the adult wards, irrespective of the Level 1 supervision being provided. "This situation cannot wait any longer to be addressed," the ministry said. It added that Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia has already personally met these children and adolescents, together with their health care multi-disciplinary team professionals, while discussing the implementation of a National Health Strategy for Children and Adolescents with the Chair of Paediatrics for Malta and Gozo to tackle, among others, acute paediatric emergency facilities and primary care outreach centres. The Ministry for Health, together with the Ministry for Education and Employment and the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, has also set up a core group of four experts to draw up a holistic approach in the specialty of children and adolescents with challenging behaviour and, furthermore, has embarked on a project headed by Prof. Angela Abela and which will see the construction of new adequate facilities for this specific niche of health care. mdalli@mediatoday.com.mt