Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/228594
3 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2013 Mater Dei's CEO out on leave as hospital faces overcrowding crisis MIRIAM DALLI AS Mater Dei is crippled with overcrowding, to the point that elective, non-essential surgeries were postponed by 15 days, and the hospital's CEO Joe Caruana went out on leave leaving the hospital's superintendent in charge. Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia only got to know about Caruana's leave "by coincidence" and believes that the CEO should have "returned to base in this moment of crisis". While last week the health minister was enjoying a short break abroad, the Office of the Prime Minister held meetings with MDH's management in a bid to find solutions to the shortage of beds, which has now reached alarming levels. Every year during the winter period, a surge in influenza cases, various infections common during this season and yuletide festivities all lead to a highly busy period for the hospital's emergency admissions department. This year however, the CEO decided that to tackle the influx of cases, non-essential surgeries were to be postponed. The decision, Farrugia told MaltaToday, had not been proposed by Castille and was taken by the CEO. "While I was on holiday, my first since March, the OPM held a meeting to discuss how congestions of bed could be addressed… but I can assure you that I was in telephone contact with them and gave them my ministerial direction," Farrugia said, adding that even the Prime Minister had been abroad. Joseph Muscat last week travelled to South Africa to attend the memorial service honouring Nelson Mandela. The Health Minister insisted he not been informed that operations were to be postponed, even though he had since returned to Malta. "Such lack of communication is unacceptable, because at the end of the day I am responsible for decisions taken in health." Amid more calls for the hospital's management to be autonomous from political influence, Farrugia said him being informed of decisions taken had nothing to do with "political interference". Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia. PHOTO BY RAY ATTARD Mater Dei CEO Joe Caruana "I don't think a minister should get to know of cancelled operations from the media or patients calling to complain. Moreover, how Mater Dei operates forms part of our strategy and policy… it has nothing to do with us interfering with the management's work," he said. The minister confirmed that Caruana was out on leave for a few days, adding that he got to know "by coincidence". According to Farrugia, it was normal practice for individuals in top posts to take leave without first confirming with the Health Ministry. Caruana reportedly left the hospital's leadership in the superintendent's hands, as no acting CEO currently exists. However, Farrugia believes that the CEO should have cancelled his leave. "The first thing I do in moments of crisis is to return to base. That is my opinion and I believe that protocols should be in place regulating such occasions," the minister said. "I am sorry for those patients affected because other solutions could have been found." He reassured that solutions were being discussed to avoid a repetition of such a case during January and February, when hospital admissions increase and higher peaks are reached. On the other hand, Farrugia argued that no matter how efficient the hospital becomes, the acute beds were not enough to service an ageing population. The Nationalist Opposition has criticised the Prime Minister's decision to divide health and elderly care, especially since a number of beds were taken up by patients requiring long-term care rather than acute services. Farrugia however insisted that he was "working well" with parliamentary secretary Franco Mercieca to find solutions to this problem, including the option of increasing state-owned beds in private care and increasing 60 beds at Saint Vincent De Paule Residence (SVPR). Beds at Mater Dei occupied by social cases cost the government €240 daily, while through publicprivate partnership, such a bed would cost €65. At SVPR, it would cost €85. SIMPLE, SECURE AND FLEXIBLE Interest payable on maturity and is fixed for the entire duration of the 5 year Term. EURO TERM DEPOSIT ACCOUNT 3.25% p.a.* psbank facebook.com/a LIMITED OFFER 2122 6644 Moreover, Farrugia added, the government had to strengthen community-based services if the patie