The death of another elderly person in a hospital corridor today was raised in Parliament during question time with the Health Minister Konrad Mizzi saying the government was informed the patient had been given all the necessary care.
Replying to Parliamentary questions by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and Shadow Minister Chris Said, Dr Mizzi said one should not get political mileage out of a situation which the government has been working to address day and night. It had also managed to reduce the waiting list, eliminate the out of stock medicines issue and improve bed stock.
This, he said, was the first winter when elective operations were not cancelled because of lack of beds and it was addressing the matter in the most conscientious manner, building a new ward.
Dr Busuttil had asked if it was acceptable in 2015 to die in a hospital corridor in an undignified manner.
Before the minister could respond, Opposition whip David Agius raised a point of order saying Minister George Vella had said the Opposition leader was inciting and this was not parliamentary language.
The Speaker said he did not hear Dr Vella use such words.
Dr Vella said that, as a doctor, he found such a debate revolting. The Opposition leader, he said, was only trying to put salt on the wound of people who were suffering the death of a family member.
After the minister answered the question, Dr Busuttil said the Opposition was not afraid of the Opposition’s threats.
This comment again raised uproar and Dr Busuttil said the Opposition requested the protection of the Speaker which today it did not have.
“No one will shut us up,” he said.
In a statement this evening, Mater Dei Hospita said the patient died in the Medical Admission Unit 1 Extension Area following CPR procedure.
All care required was provided according to standard protocols with a high level of professionalism and dedication by the health professionals assigned to the area in question.
"Whilst extending condolences to the patient's family, Mater Dei wishes to reiterate that the hospital is well and fully equipped to deal with medical emergencies as they occur," the hospital said.
In a statement, the Nationalist Party expressed serious concern on the "rapid deterioration" of public health services.
The party said no one deserved to die in a hospital corridor. The Prime Minister, it said, should wake up and try to start managing the situation which is now evidently out of control.
"The country urgently needs a roadmap for public health. Joseph Muscat never had a roadmap. After two years he still does not have one," the PN said.