PN Whip Robert Cutajar this evening asked Health Minister Chris Fearne whether it was true that certain CCTV cameras at Mount Carmel Hospital were out of action on the night when a patient escaped, only to be found dead the following morning. 

The patient, who escaped from the facility after forcing open a bathroom window, took his own life.  

Cutajar, who was asking parliamentary questions directed towards Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, also claimed that security officers at Mount Carmel were only informed that a patient was missing two hours after the patient broke out.

He also questioned whether there were any shortcomings within the hospital that resulted in the tragic loss of the patient.

Fearne, who was already speaking beyond the time stipulated for parliamentary questions, could not answer in detail but told Cutajar that a magisterial inquiry was underway, and that he had already launched an independent inquiry.

“We have given them a deadline and when we have the results we can discuss what took place,” he said.

Fearne also referenced the work being done to address mental health issues, when facing questions from MP Mario Galea, who lamented the fact that it still remains a taboo subject in Maltese society.

“We are trying to tackle mental health with three pillars; the first is infrastructure, we are planning medical briefs to have a new acute care centre for mental health; the second is the refurbishment of Mount Carmel; and the third is the national plan for mental health which it outlined in the national health strategy,” he said.