Nurses Warn: Mount Carmel Garden Refurb Puts Patients at Risk

Imagine, if you will, the serene garden of Mount Carmel Hospital, a green oasis in the heart of Msida. Now, picture patients, many frail and elderly, wandering through this garden, unsupervised and unprotected. This is not a dystopian nightmare, but a reality warned about by nurses at Malta’s largest public hospital.

The garden, recently refurbished with a hefty €250,000 price tag, has been praised for its aesthetic appeal. However, nurses have raised alarm bells about the lack of safety measures, particularly for vulnerable patients. The refurbishment, completed in 2021, included the installation of a pond, a water feature, and an increased number of plants.

“It’s beautiful, yes, but it’s also a danger zone,” said a nurse who wished to remain anonymous. “We’ve had patients wander off, drawn by the water feature. It’s only a matter of time before someone falls in or gets lost in the garden.”

The nurses’ union, MUMN, has echoed these concerns, calling for immediate action. They’ve pointed out that while the garden is meant to be a therapeutic space, it lacks basic safety features like fencing, clear signage, and CCTV coverage.

Dr. Marco Bugeja, MUMN President, said, “We understand the need for a pleasant environment, but not at the expense of patient safety. We’ve been pushing for safety measures since the refurbishment was completed, but nothing has changed.”

When contacted, a Health Ministry spokesperson acknowledged the concerns but maintained that the garden is safe. “The garden is regularly monitored, and patients are supervised when they’re outside,” they said.

As the weather warms up and more patients venture into the garden, the risk increases. Nurses are calling for urgent action, including the installation of safety features and a review of patient supervision policies.

“We love the garden,” said another nurse. “But we want our patients to enjoy it safely. We don’t want to be reading about a tragedy in the making.”