Mount Carmel Garden: Nurses Warn of Patient Dangers

Imagine, if you will, the tranquility of the Mount Carmel garden in Msida, a green oasis amidst the bustling streets of Malta’s central region. Now, picture this same space, transformed by a recent refurbishment, but with a chilling twist – nurses warning that patients could die or escape due to serious design flaws.

This isn’t a scene from a horror film, but a reality that healthcare professionals are grappling with at Mount Carmel Hospital. The once peaceful garden, now a maze of high hedges and narrow paths, has left nurses and doctors concerned for their patients’ safety.

In an effort to create a more inviting space, the hospital’s garden was recently refurbished. However, the new design, featuring towering hedges and a labyrinth of paths, has backfired. Nurses report that patients, especially the elderly and those with cognitive impairments, are easily disoriented and prone to wandering off.

“It’s like a maze in there,” says a nurse who wished to remain anonymous. “We’ve had patients who’ve gotten lost, and others who’ve managed to find their way out of the garden and onto the street. It’s only a matter of time before something tragic happens.”

Nurses at Mount Carmel Hospital have been raising the alarm about the garden’s design for months. They’ve reported their concerns to hospital management, but say little has been done to address the issue. “We’ve been told that the garden is supposed to be a place of relaxation and healing,” says another nurse. “But how can it be when it’s putting our patients at risk?”

The Malta Union of Nurses and Midwives has backed the nurses’ concerns, calling on the hospital to take immediate action. “The safety of our patients should be the top priority,” says the union’s president, Midred Zammit. “We cannot stand by and watch as patients are put in harm’s way.”

Hot Malta reached out to Mount Carmel Hospital for comment. A spokesperson acknowledged the nurses’ concerns but maintained that the garden’s design was “in line with international best practices for healing gardens.” They also pointed out that the hospital has installed CCTV cameras in the garden to monitor patients.

“We understand the concerns of our nursing staff,” the spokesperson said. “However, we believe that the benefits of the refurbished garden – increased greenery, improved aesthetics, and enhanced patient experience – outweigh the potential risks.”

As the debate over the Mount Carmel garden continues, one thing is clear: patient safety must be the top priority. Whether that means reworking the garden’s design, installing better signage, or increasing staff presence, something needs to change before a tragedy occurs.

“We’re not asking for the garden to be torn down,” says one concerned nurse. “We just want it to be safe for our patients.”

Hot Malta will continue to follow this story as it unfolds. In the meantime, we urge Mount Carmel Hospital to take the nurses’ warnings seriously and act swiftly to ensure the safety of their patients.