A nursing manager has filed a judicial protest against the health authorities claiming he had been illegally transferred from Mater Dei Hospital, where he worked for 17 years, to Mount Carmel Hospital.

Carmelo Grixti said he had evidence to prove that his transfer, to a hospital where he had no experience, was carried out to punish him for things that happened in the past and for which he was not at fault. He gave no more details.

Mr Grixti filed the protest, in the First Hall of the Civil Court, against the Health Division’s director general, the Foundation for Medical Services and the Health Ministry’s permanent secretary and human resources manager.

He explained that he had worked at Mater Dei (formerly St Luke’s Hospital) as a departmental nursing manager for 17 years. For the last 12 years he assisted in operating theatres and was in charge of nurses who worked there.

On April 1 this year, he was informed that he would be transferred to Mount Carmel Hospital as from April 4.

Mr Grixti argued that the transfer was illegal as it was not in line with procedure required by law.

He called on the health authorities involved to revoke the transfer and held them liable in damages.

Lawyers Toni Abela and Claudio Zammit signed the application.