A court this morning continued to hear evidence against two nurses and a nursing aid who stand charged with the involuntary homicide of an elderly dementia patient who choked on a piece of chicken when he was meant to consume only soft foods.

John Darmanin was found dead in Karen Grech Hospital on March 7, 2012.

At the time, he was on a strict diet of fluids and soft food after having suffered a stroke. An autopsy established that he had in fact choked on a piece of chicken.

Chief nurse Maria Bondin, 57, from Paola, nursing aide Carol Bonnici, 55, from Siġġiewi, and nurse David Sant, 30, from Għargħur, have pleaded not guilty to the charges of involuntary homicide.

Taking the witness stand, Dr Brigitte Gafa, testifying on behalf of the Chief Medical Officer, said she had spoken to the victim's widow and subsequently investigated the death and called the police.

Roberta Chetcuti Galea confirmed that she had recommended that the patient  was to be given soft food and thickened fluid. 

Asked by Police Inspector Geoffrey Azzopardi, if the menu contained foods compatible with her advice, she said that if he was given soup, then it would have to be thickened.

In the main meal, there was chicken, meat loaf and those types of menus, which were always served.

The patient, she said, had suffered from dysphasia, which was swallowing difficulty, and he would almost immediately choke on liquids, she said.
He also had problems with understanding and had to be spoken to in simple terms.

The case continues.