After reading the article published recently regarding Mount Carmel Hospital, MHSA would like to shed light on certain points raised in the article which we believe, has led to widespread sensationalism.
To begin with, we understand that this is the point of view of one previous in-patient who went through a very difficult time. We sincerely hope she is thriving in her road to recovery.
Although most of the things spoken about in this article are not false, they are not completely true either where the reality of the situations stands somewhere in between. One thing which this article correctly describes is the urgency to renovate Malta’s sole psychiatric hospital, which we hope that the sensationalism created around this article will stir some change and encourage investments to get the changes it so rightly deserves. However, we also question the effect this article can have on anyone who may require mental health care. Isn’t this article creating more unneeded stigma about the place?
As stated in the article: “Mount Carmel was founded as a “Lunatic Asylum” in 1861. According to their website, “back then, the main aim of the hospital was to keep psychiatric patients away from society rather than support them towards reintegration in the community.” Having been inside, it doesn’t feel like much has changed.” We question this statement because although the article at a later stage applauds the work of nurses, occupational therapists and doctors, it is also the latter who decide when patients leave the hospital, thus we find this statement rather contrasting. Professionals surely cannot let out patients who can cause harm to themselves or even others, however no mentally healthy person is kept there for no reason at all. Moreover, throughout the recent years, Mental Health Malta has created several programs to help long term patients re-integrate into society such as hostels and granting leave to long term inpatients.
“On arrival, I was told to hand in my phone and my valuable items. I was by myself and slightly hesitant, when a staff member told me: “It’s safer ta, inside it might get stolen.” That was the first clue that this might be more of a prison than a hospital.” reads the article. Patients who are ill might not understand the purpose of this practice when they are being admitted however it is definitely not because it’s a prison. It is for the safety of the patients themselves as well as the people around them and those caring for them. Suicidal patients may smuggle in knives or people suffering from a drug addiction might smuggle drugs.
“The common area was a dirty, depressing room”, although the building itself is very old, it is not dirty. Cleaners constantly cleaning the areas, as there are in any other government led hospital. This hospital is run by professionals who use the latest scientific research to guide them in their practice, hygiene is the basic training of any healthcare worker and its importance is vital in every healthcare setting, thus it is most certainly not disregarded. “An old dog roams around, which was the last thing I expected in a hospital.” We understand that not everyone is fond of dogs however this dog is not roaming around haphazardly, as it is a therapeutic dog specifically trained to provide therapy to patients.
Even though some practices must be changed, we do not believe it is just or even correct to describe this place as one of horror or one which drives you mad. We take the opportunity to once again state that Mount Carmel Hospital needs a renovation and we urge the corresponding authority to invest and bring it to the same level of Mater Dei Hospital. Physical health and mental health are equally important, and we look forward to the day when the infrastructure represents this as well.