Academic Andrew Azzopardi has filed a formal complaint with the Commissioner for Children about serious shortcomings at the Young People’s Unit at Mount Carmel Hospital calling for an independent inquiry.
He argued that the service is failing to meet the standards it purports to offer and suggested the unit should fall under the direct responsibility of the psychiatry chairman “until the problems are resolved”.
Listing a number of shortcomings, Azzopardi in particular called for an inquiry to investigate why two children were sent to the adult wards “for a day or longer”.
“This is unacceptable and maybe even illegal,” he said.
The YPU is a tier 4 service offering intensive treatment interventions to young people suffering from severe mental disorders which can put either themselves or others at risk. It provides assessment and treatment for young people with complex health, behavioural and emotional needs and offers a range of therapeutic, educational, social and recreational facilities.
In his complaint, Azzopardi questioned whether the unit was truly fulfilling its promise of offering a Tier 4 service.
He alleged that staff refused to work in the unit when a particular patient with severe mental and behavioural issues was admitted.
“Instead of assessing the patient and drawing up a treatment plan, the service was closed for one day. This is an alarming and disappointing situation and has worried many people,” Azzopardi said in his complaint letter.
“It appears that the Union’s priority was to protect the staff (which is understandable), but this should never be done at the expense of the child patients,” he added.
Azzopardi also alleged the unit lacked proper therapeutic, educational, social and recreational facilities saying patients spend their day playing computer games indoors as there is no outdoor space for them.
He also raised questions about staff training, protocols for handling crises, the role of medication, and family involvement.
In the letter, Azzopardi proposed the building should be fully refurbished and the service should be relocated away from Mount Carmel into a community-based setting.
He also called for the publication of the Mental Health Commissioner’s long-delayed annual reports and the creation of a dedicated ministry for mental health and solitude, arguing that the current health ministry is overstretched.