Newborn's parents file judicial protest against Mater Dei Hospital
Baby discharged from hospital this morning
UPDATED _ The parents of a newborn have fled a judicial protest against Mater Dei Hospital complaining about the treatment they are getting by the hospital staff,
David Ellul and Marissa Bose said their baby was born on November 8.
The father, David Ellul was being hindered from seeing the daughter, like all fathers had a right to do, and a policeman was always present whenever he went to hospital.
The incident, they said, developed when Mr Ellul, who is a vegetarian, was peeling some fruit using a penknife - which was not illegal. The penknife was confiscated by the police.
Subsequently, every time he approached the hospital bed, he was searched by the police, something, which, the couple said, was not permissible unless the police had reasonable doubt that a crime had been committed or was being committed.
The couple complained that their baby had been admitted to the ITU for reasons which were not disclosed to them. It had been claimed that the baby had an infection, but this was not the case. The couple said they wanted to see their daughter discharged.
Furthermore, Mr Ellul said he had informed the hospital that he had incompatibility with Augmentin treatment, yet it had resulted that the baby was still given a dose or does of that medicine.
The couple protested that Ms Bose had been asked by hospital staff whether Mr Ellul was aggressive and had mistreated her, whether he was an alcoholic and whether a social worker was needed.
They denied such allegations, but said that the treatment they had been receiving was of concern.
They said that when they sought information from the hospital authorities, they were told that the hospital was acting on the basis of a court order, an order about which they were never informed about before or after it was issued.
They said that the mother was, suddenly, told that she could go home but she could not take the baby with her. She insisted that she had a right to breast feed the baby and she was therefore in the hospital waiting room so that she could breastfeed.
The parents said they had a right to be given information on the condition of their baby and what was being suspected.
They therefore called on the hospital authorities to stop illegal behaviour, to treat them with respect and to give them the information they were entitled to as parents.
BABY DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL
Meanwhile, hospital sources said today that the baby girl was discharged from hospital this morning.
See also
Doctors, parents clash over newborn’s care
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101114/local/doctors-parents-clash-over-newborn-s-care
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
PL reacts as PN labels Franco Debono's...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
PL reacts as PN labels Franco Debono's...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
77 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 18th 2010, 17:38
Any foreigner would know that a hospital visitor abroad would be thrown out of hospital, if not actually arrested, had he made such a big a nuisance of himself that a court order needed to be issued so as to enable the hospital staff to look after his child to the best of their ability.
In his heyday as Chief Justice, the present Ombudsman would certainly not condone such hostile behaviour in his Hall, neither would he allow the carrying and exhibition of penknives within the precincts of the Law Courts when that is prohibited by law. The police and court ushers would not be labeled “wrong, uncaring and insensitive” if they took steps so that the administration of justice would be able to function without interference. What is sauce for the forensic goose should be sauce for the medical gander.
Andreas Kuemmert
Feb 2nd 2011, 00:43
Reading all these comments makes we feeel scared. Are you aware, that the child does not belong to god, nor the hospital but only to the parents. It is their obligation to take care of their newborn child and the parents decide themselves what they want to have done or not. If this basic concept of personal freedom and personal responsability is not respected, then you cannot even argue about what is right or wrong - apparently a lot of people that comment here do beleive that it is correct to break teh most basic laws of civilization. Obviously it is a big mistake, to go to a public hospital to give birth, unless you want to stick exactly to what the doctors tell you and have no knowledge and no opinion - these parents are very right with their concerns and no, such concerns have to be taken much more serious. We are no slaves of a system, that maximizes unnecessary treatments with risky side effects.
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 18th 2010, 17:18
Any Canadian, any Australian and any other foreigner would know that any hostile person obstructing hard-pressed doctors going about their duties would at least be thrown out of that hospital if not arrested in hosptals abroad. Much more so if he obstructs treatment imposed on doctors by the law courts. After attaining independence the Maltese have ditched their inferiority complex towards any upstart who assumes wrongly that he has achieved a pinnacle of by going abroad.
The Ombudsman, in the heyday of his career as Chief Justice, would not have tolerated that kind of behaviour in his Hall neither would he have tolerated the carrying of knives in the Law Courts when carrying pointed instruments is illegal anywhere in Malta. What is sauce for the legal goose should be sauce for the medical gander.
H Zammit
Nov 17th 2010, 23:20
This is the problem with the internet. It's a great tool for info. entertainment and comms but some people think that they can become experts simply by reading some articles on the net. The parents in this case acted irresponsibly on various counts and repeatedly. Unfortunately it wasn't their life they were risking but the life of an innocent child. We are proud of our maternity section at Mater Dei as they happen to be one , if not the best section. To the young parent I say - grow up, stop messing your lives and appreciate your God sent child (she's not yours but His).
Victoria Krejci
Nov 17th 2010, 18:44
David, Thank your lucky stars that there is nothing wrong with your daughter and drop everything. Many people realise too late that there is something wrong and go home empty handed! I can assure you that doctors don;t enjoy taking children to the NCIPU, they have enough problems to deal with!
Chris Busuttil
Nov 17th 2010, 17:56
con't
As a fellow Canadian I feel ashamed at your behaviour
J Gatt
Nov 18th 2010, 07:54
Thanks a lot for your comment!! Maltese people think that abroad everything is done differently! And most of time foreigners tend to look down on us because we are small! I lived in Australi for some time and like you I believe that Mr'Ellul's behavior would have thrown him in jail in Australia!!
Chris Busuttil
Nov 17th 2010, 17:53
Dear Mr. Ellul
I'd like to comment about you being asked to leave the hospital in a previous article and the fact that you were born and raised in Canada and could not understand this. I was also born and raised in Canada and gave birth to one of my children there. I'll let you know that your behaviour in Canada would have got you thrown in jail. My husband also had to leave the evening I gave birth in Canada and was not allowed to stay with me even thought the baby had a small complication. Also the hospital staff try to do what is best for the baby and if they carried out test that came back negative this should be a relief to you and their deligence commended. As for the shot of vitamin K and any other vaccines you may wish to refuse in future. In Canada if your child is not vaccinated then school admittance is denied.
Mr. Ellul I suggest you grow up. You are only throwing your weight around because you feel you are on this little island and can do so. cont....
C. Muscat
Nov 17th 2010, 15:43
Unfortunately, what happened to T. Attard is a fact. The percentage error is probably small. It almost happened to my son; but at least I was lucky.
But my opinion of this case is that teh parents do not have any respect to the rules and regulations and to the professional role of the doctors.
Luigi Tomassi
Nov 17th 2010, 15:08
[Continued....]
Of course you all must have guessed what the outcome was.
But then there are doctors who one will never return to them, like the one who gave the opposite treatment to my son than he should have done.
On the issue of fathers remaining near the mothers, this is an issue to be remedied. Contrary to what some might say, the mothers wish the fathers to remain and it is the fathers right. Even after 3 years my wife regrets the fact that I wasn't there during the nights with her.
When my sisters gave birth to their children, their husbands were always with them day and night. Of course this was abroad. For god's sake Mater Dei is state of the art!!
And David and Marissa, hallikom min cuccati u take care of your chilld............
Mark Delicata
Nov 17th 2010, 15:05
Enough is enough! Time for the parents to grow up.
You have had all the attention you craved, that's it!
Mark (Scotland)
Luigi Tomassi
Nov 17th 2010, 13:59
You can always plan your pregnancy, but never expect that the actual birth is as perfect as you have "planned".
This couple seems to be one of those who have been indoctrinated about natural births at home, to refuse treatment/intervention from the medical staff either for the mother to ease the labour pains or for the baby itself and above all to challenge the doctors. There is nothing wrong in all these, as long as everything is proceeding smoothly. I myself and my wife entered the hospital with all these ideas but 10 hours later had to let them fly through the windows. For eight hours my wife was obstinate and adamant not to accept any help or treatment, till the moment that my baby's heartbeat was waning. Then of course we were at the doctor's mercy and put them at great pressure to save my baby. And they did a great job.
By all means read the internet, but remember that a highly-qualified medical doctor is there in the flesh for you. Again when my son developed a condition, I consulted the internet and had formed my own diagnosis, which I was sure was 100%. [Continued........]
theresa attard
Nov 17th 2010, 09:42
Doctors and nurses make many many mistakes and have been covered up by the officials in your country as has happened with my own son .... these professionals think that some of us parents are ignorant people and wouldnt understand any medical terms used when we ask what is happening or what tests or medication is going to used on our kids..... and for some paediatricians .... one in particular..... in Malta...... he has absolutely no bedside manner .... and after making such a tragic mistake with my own child ..... never even tried to apologise .....
There are however many many great doctors and nurses in the hospital there.... but parents are NOT always involved ....
David Ellul
Nov 17th 2010, 02:01
After the stomach flush, we had no chance to object or consent to all that was done to her. It was simply done, and we did not have a consultation with a doctor until 11:30 am Thursday.
We do not presently know what the suspected emergency was that she was taken for. We are awaiting her medical records.
We have been told, by the doctor in charge of her care, that after all the tests, nothing was found to be wrong with her. As we understand it, all of the "treatment" proved to be unnecessary in the first place.
David Ellul
Nov 17th 2010, 02:00
Present facts
On Tuesday night, when the "routine procedure done as a precaution" was being insisted upon, we were denied the right to bring into the hospital an outside paediatrician for a second opinion.
When we were denied the right to stay together and insisted upon going to a private hospital to do the "routine procedure done as a precaution" elsewhere, we were detained and the Magistrate was called.
We AGREED to the "routine procedure done as a precaution" after negotiations with the Magistrate to have Marissa's mother stay instead of myself.
Within twenty minutes of my leaving the "routine procedure done as a precaution" had apparently escalated and warranted having our child moved to the NICPU and being confined there for most of a week, being fed sugar water through an I.V. instead of breast milk (colostrum specifically), receiving antibiotics, an x-ray, and various other treatments. Both hands and both feet are presently bruised from the numerous needles that were inserted.
Continued...
J Simpson
Nov 17th 2010, 11:21
You are constnatly writing comments under your article. It seems that you are more concerened to let people know about you than the well being of your child! I think that for you it has became a battle for revenge! and thank God that tests were made and nothing wrong was found!! Some unfortunate people have procedure tests and find something wrong!
CBorg
Nov 17th 2010, 01:25
Just some wannabe actor, looking for a bit of publicity.
A Bezzina
Nov 16th 2010, 17:03
I have two words for this couple - GROW UP!
J. Bugeja
Nov 16th 2010, 15:42
If what was reported in the news is true, then I am not surprised that certain measures were taken. The couple may feel differently, but if someone is intent on challenging hospital staff - possibly even raising a commotion - then the hospital has a right to question that behaviour and take all possible precautions against an escalation that could result in someone - anyone - getting hurt.
Everybody who has been within a mile of a hospital knows that tensions run high: people need help, are ill or in pain, and concerned relatives feel helpless. All the while, the staff is trying to do their job while handling all sorts of emotional situations. A bit of collaboration by the patients and other visitors would not go amiss.
One other thing: given what happened only a couple of years ago, if not less, where a female patient was attacked in hospital by a man wielding a knife, then no one should be surprised that the appearance of a penknife in a ward elicits concern.
Vince Portelli
Nov 16th 2010, 14:59
Like the parents of Baby Pea, I am also an avid "health enthusiast" on the internet, wary of the limitations of "protocol medicine" in the face of progress. However, if in doubt, I would side with caution and let the doctors do what they normally would (especially in a case like this where a newborn is involved).
Nonetheless, this unfortunate story does bring to the forth a handful of important ssues:
1) Doctors/hospital staff frown often upon alternative medicine options. For many of them human and scientific progress stopped as soon as they got their University degrees! And they dislike patients who are more up-to-date then they themselves are...
2) Arrogance and audacity rule amongst many medical/nursing professionals (as other professionals too. Read: lawyers, notaries, etc.,). Most would do with some training in customer relations and better explanations to patients. They are intent on curing diseases, when they should be curing people!
3) It takes 2 experts to cure a person: the medical doctor (an expert in medicine) and the patient (an expert on himself). The two ought to discuss and act together.
4) The hospital policy of treating fathers of newborns as "visitors" is outrightly cruel. Please change it.
J Simpson
Nov 17th 2010, 08:05
Rule 3 - how can a newborn co-operate with a doctor?
Rule 4 - if only one mother gave birth at Mater dei...then yes the father can stay all day, but as you know lots and lots of women give birth there everyday, so because of this reason the staff has to have some control over fathers, and fathers have to respect other mothers who want to rest!
Vince Portelli
Nov 17th 2010, 12:17
@ J Simpson
Thank you for replying.
As to your question: "How can a newborn co-operate with a doctor?", the answer is in the beginning of my comment:
"...I would... let the doctors do what they normally would (especially in a case like this where a newborn is involved)."
Of course, as we seem to agree, since newborns and small kids are still unequipped with language skills, a doctor should act more on experience/observation (but not ignoring completely the parents opinions/ideas/background knowledge).
As to your other point, in a shared maternity ward, you're right - fathers/visitors may cause an inconvenience to some mothers. However to treat fathers just like other normal visitors is, in my view, a overly simplified approach to this problem. Pity that a brand new hospital didn't dedicate some extra space to accommodate this issue...
When my son was born I was even offered an extra bed if I wanted to stay the night and enjoy the unique moments (for a small EUR 20 charge I must say). But that was not in Malta of course... where real humane service is not a priority (and as long as everything is absolutely free of charge!)
J Simpson
Nov 17th 2010, 14:32
Let me tell what happened in Mater Dei to me when my daughter was born two years ago. She had some minor complications during birth so she spend a week in NPICU. She was perfectly fine after two days, but as a precaution and for the concern of the baby they let her there another five days to be absolutely sure she is ok before she went home! On the 6th day the professor came up to me and told me that if I would like, me, the baby and the baby's father can spend a whole day and night in one of the apartments there is in NPICU. He said that this way we can look after the baby on our own but if something happened that night we can tell the nurses! and that is ALL FOR FREE..no 20 Euro like you paid abroad, becuase we are in MALTA! And by the way...when in NPICU the father could come and visit the baby any time!!! I guess it's a matter of whether the baby's father was arrogant and irritating other patients!
E.Schembri
Nov 16th 2010, 13:14
From the comments and photos found on Mr.Ellul's Facebook page and blog, it is no wonder that they don't trust him and had him searched by a policeman.
He cannot expect smiling faces after creating so much friction with the hospital staff. He is now reaping what he sowed when he entered the hospital as Mr. No-it-all.
My wife gave birth to two kids at hospital and we always found excellent professional and understanding staff who go out of their way to make the mother feel comfortable.
And yes, the father cannot stay there all day! It is good for both parents to get some rest and for the other mothers. The post natal ward is not an open bar, but a clean, quite place for mothers and their babies.
Matthew Aquilina
Nov 16th 2010, 15:10
I couldn't agree more!
Victoria Krejci
Nov 16th 2010, 12:51
I was ALWAYS informed on the status of my daughter during her stay at the NCIPU. When I was prevented from seeing my new born daughter for the first few days due to an eye infection I contracted whilst in hospital, the consultant paediatrician came to update me on the ward, and this was not at my request. Whenever I wanted to see my daughter, the staff on OBS3 telephoned the NCIPU and my daughter was brought behind the glass in her incubator. It was in her interest that I followed certain instructions. I was allowed to express milk and when I could finally go near my daughter after a few days I was allowed to breastfeed any time I wanted, so perhaps one should hear the two sides of the story not only the one!
J Simpson
Nov 16th 2010, 13:16
I totally agree with you. Two years ago my daughter was born and had to spend a week in NPICU. ALL the staff was really helpful and thank them for taking great care of my daughter while there! I think that it is stupid and arrogant when one thinks that he knows better than doctors just becuase they read something on the net!! I think one can never risk his child's health becuae he believes that no medication should be given to the child! I also think that the baby's father acted incosiderate and disrespectful not only towards doctors but also to other mums that wanted to rest and couldn't because he was making a scene!!!
DGalea
Nov 16th 2010, 11:45
The parents of the baby should be thanking Mater Dei and its dedicated staff for the safe outcome for both mother and child .Getting expert advice for possible post-natal depression isnt such a bad idea either.
James Formosa
Nov 16th 2010, 09:17
Why doesn't everyone call a spade a spade. Admit it will you!
Doctors are not always right.
The policy that fathers should leave soon after their wife gives birth(or at a stipulated time) is wrong.
That waiting for 7 hours for a doctor to see their baby after vomiting 'blood' is shameful!
That in the interim it was normal for parents to worry and get some answers from the internet since they weren't getting them from anyone.
That peeling fruit with a penknife is not a crime.
That getting so iritate at staff and doctors in such a situation is normal.
That certain doctors and staff are not the most diplomatic, tactful lot.
So give these guys a break.
Carmen V Gauci
Nov 16th 2010, 11:30
@James Formosa, If one had to argue with your same reasoning, who is always right ?? Fetching on internet for solutions/answers instead of listening to a professional is not correct either. It seems to me they entered Mater Dei with their own ideas, if they didn't want the help offered by professionals they shouldn't have entered Mater Dei in the first place !! As for husbands leaving at a certain time I find it justifiable, women need to rest after giving birth. Can you imagine a ward of 6 beds, with some women wishing to rest and cannot because right next to their bed is a husband who is all excited and talkative. As for the penknife story every responsible adult should know that keeping a penknife in one's pocket is illegal.
Marius Cremona
Nov 17th 2010, 00:45
1. Yes true, but most of the time they are.
2. Mater Dei is very flexible on times..go to the bank and see if they admit you in after closing hours. New mothers need to rest. And not just your wife, but even the new mother next to yours!
3. They didn't wait 7 hours.
4. For the interim it is ok. To challenge the doctor/s with your find out for the doctor to give his/her best is ok. But to keep on challenging a consultant with esperience, that is foolishness. Try doing it with a magistrate!
5. Peeling fruit is not a crime. Carrying a penknife with you is.
6. Getting irritate is fine. Crossing that boundary is not.
7. Most of the doctors give their best, and try their utmost to be diplomatic. I am sure in this case they have been.
8. Give these doctors a break!
John Azzopardi
Nov 16th 2010, 02:21
enough already on this case. The doctors were only working on the best interest of the child. It's a good thing that the lady went to the hospital, otherwise she could be dead if she had decided to deliver the baby at home. The parents should be knelling down in gratitude that all went well. Period. Enough is enough.
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 15th 2010, 22:03
@ACassar.
You must have failed to understand my comment. I was replying to Marius Cremona when he mentioned a hypothetical accusation of illegal detention by an adult on his own behalf. In this case it is actually a false allegation of illegal detention of a minor lodged by its legal guardians. Patients are be kept in hospital as long as considered necessary by the doctors(unless patients sign a declaration that they are discharging themselves against medical advice). That is necessary to prevent later opportunistic accusations of negligence against hospital staff.
@ gcforte.
Hospital staff are too busy treating patients to waste their time on satisfying the idle curiosity of anyone who submits a series of dots ominously suggesting that the hospital has a case of negligence to answer - especially when it is glariingly obvious that that is NOT the case and when the hospital is complying with a court order to treat a minor.
Peter Shaw
Nov 15th 2010, 18:44
You had your moment of publicity parents! Now shut up please and let the professionals (doctors) do their work in peace !!
rich
Nov 15th 2010, 21:14
Hey man not all doctors etc do there own good job as from my recent experiance to mather dei.
when you are under you can judge!
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 16th 2010, 06:24
@PeterShaw
A few more days of exposure by carefully posed photographs of devoted parents kissing each other over a sleeping baby would not be amiss - except for the unjustly accused hospital and staff.
maria aquilina
Nov 15th 2010, 18:38
I think that the problem is one of communication.Nursing an midwifery staff sometimes feel threatened when a client asks questions .This must not be because the patient is in partnership with her career.There must be a care plan done together with the patient.The patient must know how the birth is going to be conducted and what happens in case of an emergency.
mario azzopardi
Nov 15th 2010, 18:19
Qisu hadd ma kellu baby. Go home and bring her up well.
Tracy caruana
Nov 15th 2010, 17:44
Ommi kienet tghidli li hemm tliet nahat ta argument. Il-verzjoni ta' wiehed, il-verzjoni tal-iehor u l-verita.
m.schembri
Nov 15th 2010, 17:53
Pity,hospital staff can't tell their version of facts due to data protection
I Abela
Nov 15th 2010, 18:29
M Schembri - Why in Malta everyone hides behind the data protection act? Mater Dei should immediately issue a statement in reply to these peoples statement. There is no data involved in all this, just a simple reply. We don't need to know their ID Card number or NI Number or who there employer is or how much tax they owe the government (if any) etc. That is data. Issuing a counter-statement about a case is no data.
A cassar
Nov 15th 2010, 19:18
Yes data protection is there to make patients feel safe confiding in medical professions, and only with court permission can one divulge medical details. It would be nice to get the facts from the hospital.....but being professionals they will not, even in the face of allegations from these individuals. That is a loud and clear message that professionals at mater die are truly professionals. Prosit!!!!!
S.Sammut
Nov 16th 2010, 07:23
I do not think Mater Dei need to waste time and explain themselves. Everyone knows just what a good job the usually do.
M Buhagiar
Nov 15th 2010, 17:13
What a pity for the baby to find such an ordeal as soon as she emerges into the world!
J. Debono
Nov 15th 2010, 17:00
The court order should be extended to at least 18 years, or until poor baby Pea leaves home!
Marius Cremona
Nov 15th 2010, 16:49
Ok, so someone has a chest pain and he goes to hospital...he feels it is not a heart attack and even the doctors are aware of that but they admit him to hospital to be sure---------->because if they tell him to leave and it is 'really' a heart attack it is the devil to pay. He undergoes tests and after an invasive test (angiogram) they say that his blood vessels are normal. So this chap goes to file a judicial protest because they kept him in hospital for nothing..
Dr Francis Saliba
Nov 15th 2010, 17:52
Dak mhu xejn! Jekk pazjent b'ugigh f'sidru ma jinzammx l-isptar ghall-investigazzjonijiet u jekk xi gimgha wara jizviluppa attakk tal-qalb veru (coronory thrombosis with infarction) jiftah kawza kontra l-isptar ghax ma kienx inzamm ghall-investigazzjoni specjalizzata!
A cassar
Nov 15th 2010, 19:12
What a stupid argument.....we are speaking about a minor here. With adults one can NEVER be forced to stay in hospital or be given any treatment unless you consent. The only exeption is if you are mentally unable to make a decision.
c.cefai
Nov 15th 2010, 16:32
While congratulating them on having a baby, can't they shut up once and for all; mater dei was doing what was necessary to be done for the sake of the baby.
SAviour
Nov 15th 2010, 15:53
Dawn jafu li barra min Malta jkollok thallas madwar 5000 Euro biex twelled go sptar. Ftit huma dawk li ma jhallsux ghal servizz bhal dan. Imma nahseb niehdu wisq kollox for granted. Servizz b xejn, kura fl interess tat tarbija.. u jifthu protest gudizzjarju. Imma l-aqwa illi qabel ma jghidu iva lit tobba ghat trattament tat tarbija jaraw fuq l internet.
Ray Buhagiar
Nov 15th 2010, 15:27
The nature of the professional-patient relationship could be one of three types: Activity/passivity: The professional “actually does something to the patient” who acts only as a “passive recipient”. Guidance/Cooperarion: The professional “tells the patient what to do”. and the patient acts as “cooperator”. Mutual Cooperation: The professional “helps the patient to help himself’ and the patient acts as an active participant in the “partnership”. It seems from contributions that the majority of the Maltese and professionals prefers the first category. It seems that hospital administration is not prepared when faced by a request from someone who is accustomed to mutual cooperation. I think that Hospital administration and University of Malta (Faculty of health Science and Medical School) have a lot to learn from this incident. I believe that we are seeing these parents in bad light because we are only used to the active/passive type of relationship with our health professionals. And most probably the health professionals prefer it to be that way. Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts.
Anna Borg
Nov 15th 2010, 14:58
While I do appreciate that these new parents have their own way of life, which I totally respect, when going to Mater Dei Hospital to give birth to their daughter they inevitably and understandably agreed to abide to the rules of the hospital. If they wanted a different kind of birth and after care, they should have shopped around for birthing centres with different rules acceptable to them. Besides I am of the opinion that there must have been some reason for the court order to be issued. A little word of advice from a seasoned mum... enjoy your daughter's first few days which are much too precious to be lost due to such trivialities. The time lost will not come back.
l aquilina
Nov 16th 2010, 14:47
Well said... choose your life and lifestyle by all mean, however don't expect the authority not to have it's own regulation and to bow to individual whims. Rights bring on obligations. You use a public service, respect the public law.
I. Vella
Nov 15th 2010, 14:46
OH come on !!!!!! God bless the Doctors and Nurses at Mater Dei, they do a wonderful job with everyone, especially babies and children !!!!! I really don't know why this couple is being so ignorant and arrogant !!!!!! It is in the baby's interest that she is discharged when the doctors feel that she is healthy enough to go home !!!!!! I haven't read that the mother or father is a doctor, so why do they interfere with the doctors' decisions !
Peter Shaw
Nov 15th 2010, 14:30
Dear parents, is this how you want the birthday of your son to be remembered? Shame on you!!
Joseph W. Galea
Nov 17th 2010, 07:19
@Karl Farrugia
If David wanted an opinion of a private institution, he should have gone there in the first place. But no, that would have cost him a bundle, wouldn't it? So he went to MDH where it was free, created a disturbance and wasted a lot of precious time for the hospital staff.
As for his 5 minutes of fame, well he has had more than that in all the blogs about his childish behaviour.
Joseph W. Galea
Nov 17th 2010, 07:21
I thought the baby was a girl nicknamed pea.
Pauline Abela
Nov 17th 2010, 11:16
Oh! I thought her first name was 'Pea'. Sort of following in Bob Geldof's footsteps who named one of his daughters 'Peaches'. Lucky he's vegetarian, or he may have picked 'Spare Ribs' or 'Pork Chops'. Imagine growing up with one of THOSE names!
J.Galea
Nov 17th 2010, 18:11
Are these parents even aware that in Malta many health care professionals such as Doctors opt to work both in public institutions such as Mater Dei and in the Private Sector after their hospital duties. Therefore, their urgent plea to be discharged and seek private medical attention would probably have been provided by a Doctor who was working at Mater Dei either way. Did they bother researching this on the internet??
S.Micallef
Nov 15th 2010, 14:16
Oh come on please cut the drama!
these people are just looking for their 5 mins of fame.
Joann Bugeja
Nov 15th 2010, 14:42
agreed ! Why all these restrictions by the police,staff etc??! At the hospital there are regulations as well to be observed..by everyone ! Who they think they are !?
Karl Farrugia
Nov 15th 2010, 15:14
If only you knew them, you would know that David does not need this for his "5 minutes of fame", as he already had his share of fame doing something you're probably not capable of doing: acting and music. Anyway, the whole point of this story is that he was unjustly treated by the hospital authorities and the police, and that he was refused the release of the child to seek the opinion of other medics in a private institution.
Luke Buttigieg
Nov 15th 2010, 15:41
Completely agree
C. Azzopardi
Nov 16th 2010, 10:41
@Mr Farrugia when you seek hospitalization in a private hospital and complication arose you will be put in an ambulance and sent to Mater Dei with or without your consent for more intensive care especially with a new born. So Mater Dei is always the best option to go. When my son was born the staff was more than professional and went an extra mile to make us feel at ease and comfortable. And by the way they answered all the questions and difficulties we had and supported us in the whole proses.
J.Galea
Nov 16th 2010, 22:58
@Mr.Farrugia your friend Mr.Ellul should then stick to what he knows best music and acting! Not walk into hospital thinking he has knowledge equivalent to that of a doctor after reading information from a website. Remeber anyone can publish anything on the internet. I find it irresponsible of them to opt to trust internet over our well qualified physicians and health care staff. Shameful! Mater Dei Staff acted in the best interest and for the well being of baby Pea!
Charles Zammit
Nov 15th 2010, 14:14
Can anyone blame the authorities for taking precautions against irrational behaviour?
J Oatmon
Nov 15th 2010, 14:10
Obviously we have here only one side of the story, we need both sides to properly understand what happened.
Ramon Casha
Nov 15th 2010, 14:03
The more I read about this couple the more I feel convinced that they shouldn't be trusted with a child.
Let me guess.... Mr. Ellul did not like the hospital's cutlery? Apart from the fact that, according to Act 14/2005, a penknife with a blade any longer than 8cm cannot be carried anywhere in public, the hospital has every right to impose further restrictions on similar items being carried into wards and prohibit knives altogether. Not too long ago we had a murder case where an estranged husband murdered his wife in a hospital bed.
Considering that Mr. Ellul has already had to be removed from the hospital by the police, I'm not surprised that people - staff and patients - weren't too happy to see him return brandishing a knife.
Anthony E Portelli
Nov 16th 2010, 10:41
Quite right , man
gcForte
Nov 15th 2010, 13:54
@ Mater Dei Hospital authority ..............There are serious allegations in this comment...........A clear explanation should be issued urgently. Cikku il poplu wants to hear the other side of the story. YOUR SIDE.
A.Debono
Nov 15th 2010, 13:54
Let the judging begin !!!!
m.vella
Nov 15th 2010, 13:45
qet nhoss li din il koppja qet taggibhom issa ! iridu jamlu riklam mid dehra u jidru f naqa gazzetta....fl isptarijiet maltin jitwildu eluf ta tfal fis sena...u qatt ma smajna b xi storja ekk....
specjalment ir ragel jinstema li qet jamila wisq tal buli u tax show off !
David Muscat
Nov 15th 2010, 13:43
This is a clear case were years of study and serious reaserch is underestimated by brained parents who think that a short reference to an internet website makes them pediatricians.
My appeal is to leave the professionals do their work. We are speaking of lives and thus we should have things done in the most scientific way possible, the only way that can guarantee something.
A.Debono
Nov 15th 2010, 14:38
I think many people refer to the internet for additional information. I don't know why people got so hung up over that detail. It is also known that doctors are not always 100% correct all the time and at the end of the day if whilst I have no doubt that the staff at Mater Dei are able and professional it does not mean that conflict between staff and patient cannot happen. They are humans after all. This couple spoke up when they thought something seemed off instead of sitting there and taking it like the majority of people would. I don't understand why TOM commentators are so eager to judge and throw stones.
Mark Edward Mifsud
Nov 15th 2010, 13:37
To make things clear I do not work in Mater Dei and have no connection with the hospital and hope not to be resident. With all the respect to the family there are rules and regulations in every institution and also in hospitals. If you don’t like it you should have checked before what mater dei offers and go and pump the private hospitals with money. Unbelievable
A. Tanti
Nov 15th 2010, 13:36
This is simply ridiculous. What gives the right to the hospital and their staff to make these ridiculous and unwaranted decisions? This couple has every right to do what they are doing and I support them.
Patrick Abela
Nov 15th 2010, 14:53
I have to agree with Mr. Tanti that although the couple might have displayed a certain overprotection and imposing of lifestyle, this must have been the product of bad communication which most likely originated from the staff and security at the delivery ward. I was ashamed to read in yesterday's news that the security could barely find a copy of the hospital regulations, much less issue permission to the father to stay with his daughter. I'm hoping that the information delivered is incomplete and biased for the sake of the hospital staff's integrity.
Please choose the reason of your report below: