Mount Carmel Garden: Nurses Warn of ‘Death Trap’
Nurses’ Alarm: Refurbished Mount Carmel Garden ‘Death Trap’
Imagine this: You’re a patient at Mount Carmel Hospital, Malta’s largest public healthcare facility. You’re recovering, but you need fresh air. So, you make your way to the garden for some respite. But what if that garden, meant to be a sanctuary, was now a potential death trap? This is the chilling reality that nurses at Mount Carmel are warning about.
From Oasis to Nightmare
The garden at Mount Carmel, a green lung in the heart of Msida, has been a lifeline for patients for decades. But now, nurses say, it’s become a safety hazard after recent refurbishments. The once peaceful oasis, with its mature trees and benches, is now a maze of construction barriers, uneven surfaces, and exposed pipes.
Nurses, who wish to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, have told Hot Malta that patients, many of them elderly and frail, are at risk of serious injuries or worse. “It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” one nurse said. “We’ve had patients trip over cables, others getting lost in the maze of barriers. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.”
Hospital’s Response: ‘Safety is Our Priority’
Hot Malta reached out to Mount Carmel Hospital for comment. A spokesperson responded, “We understand the concerns raised and assure the public that safety is our top priority. The refurbishments are necessary for the garden’s long-term benefit, but we acknowledge that the current state is not ideal. We’re working to mitigate these issues as quickly as possible.”
However, nurses insist that the hospital is underestimating the danger. “They’re saying the right things, but the actions on the ground don’t match,” another nurse said. “We’re seeing patients in distress daily. It’s not just about inconvenience; it’s about safety and dignity.”
Patients’ Plight: ‘We Just Want to Breathe’
Patients echo the nurses’ concerns. Maria, a 72-year-old patient who asked for her surname to be withheld, told Hot Malta, “I come here to get some fresh air, to feel the sun on my face. But now, it’s like walking through a minefield. I’m scared I’ll fall and no one will find me.”
Another patient, Joseph, added, “I understand they’re doing work, but this is ridiculous. We’re sick, we just want to breathe some fresh air without fearing for our lives.”
What Next?
Nurses are calling for immediate action. They want the hospital to temporarily close the garden until safety measures are in place. They also want the public to know about the situation. “We’re not trying to cause trouble,” one nurse said. “We just want our patients to be safe. We’re appealing to the hospital, to the authorities, to listen to us. Before it’s too late.”
As for the patients, they just want to enjoy their garden in peace. As Maria put it, “We’re not asking for much. Just a safe place to sit and enjoy the view of our beautiful island.”
