A nursing aide has been placed on forced leave after allegedly physically abusing an elderly man with severe dementia at St Vincent de Paul residence on Friday.

Sources said the employee was handling the patient when he allegedly slapped the man in the face.

The sources said the incident was witnessed by a maid who immediately reported the matter to the management of the government-run home.

The elderly man sustained bruising to his face, the sources said.

The case was referred to the police straight away and an investigation began. The male nursing aid was placed on forced leave pending the investigation in line with Public Service Commission rules.

The government must apply the same yardstick on any abuse... This is the only way to ensure the elderly are protected

In a statement, the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity said it took immediate action after receiving the report on Friday and had referred to the matter to the police.

In a reaction to the ministry’s statement, the Nationalist Party said it condemned all kinds of abuse on the elderly and called for consensus on policies to safeguard the elderly.

Social Solidarity Shadow Minister Paula Mifsud Bonnici criticised the government for lack of action on other cases of elderly abuse.

“The government must apply the same yardstick on any alleged case of abuse that is reported. This is the only way to ensure that the elderly and their rights are protected,” she said.