A report on the  internal inquiry into an incident where an elderly patient at Karin Grech Hospital chocked on a piece of chicken may have gone missing as it is nowhere to be found, a court heard today.

The former government Chief Medical Officer, Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, said that she had since moved on to a conultancy role within the ministry. She said she had spoken to her successor, Joseph Vella Baldacchino, who informed her that the file with the outcome of the inquiry could not be found.

Presiding Magistrate Anthony Vella ordered the prosecution to use all the means possible to locate the file and exhibit it in court. A copy of the decree was also sent to the Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

The revelation was made as the compilation of evidence against two nurses and a nursing aide continued today. They stand charged with the involuntary homicide of John Darmanin who was found dead in a hospital lavatory on March 7, 2012 after he had gone missing from his room.

An autopsy report revealed that Mr Darmanin had died after choking on a piece of chicken, despite hospital staff having been prohibited from giving him solid food.

All three accused are denying the charges.

Dr Azzopardi Muscat testified that she remembered instructing the board of inquiry appointed to investigate the incident to keep her abreast of its findings.

She explained that she had drafted new procedures on how to deal with unexpected deaths such as this one and that to her knowledge this had not been brought into effect by her successors.

The case continues.

Police Inspector Geoffrey Azzopardi is prosecuting. Lawyers Lucio Sciriha, Steve Tonna Lowell and Kris Scicluna are appearing for the defence. Lawyer Stefano Filletti appeared parte civile for the Darmanin family.