Karen Grech rehabilitation ward in need of an urgent upgrade

What I have seen at the Karen Grech Rehabilitation Ward at St Luke's Hospital has left me upset and brought back very sad memories of when my mother passed away there, in one of the then functioning wards, as far back as seven years ago.

Nothing seems to have changed... in fact things have just got worse.

People who undergo orthopaedic surgery are particularly vulnerable to depression. The premises in question ought to be "rehabilitated" first before putting human beings there. The surroundings are squalid and hot, freshened only by old fashioned ceiling ventilators, making the ward comparable to one in a third world country.

With all that has been invested in Mater Dei Hospital, surely with some more financial input, some effort can be made to improve conditions in this specific Karen Grech compound. Feelings of great compassion for the miserable patients and the staff who are expected to give their best under such conditions are strong but not enough. The people in charge need to do something about it!