New female ward for mental health sufferers with drug problems

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A new ward with six beds for women suffering from drug addiction and mental health problems was inaugurated at Mount Carmel Hospital.

While such a specialised ward already exists for male patients, female patients with dual diagnosis were placed in the same wards as other patients.

The new specialised care will facilitate the patients’ rehabilitation and their integration back into society.

According to parliamentary secretary for health Chris Fearne, over 50% of drug abusers suffered from mental health problems as well.

“Our goal is to continue specialising in the care we give. While the government has a zero tolerance policy against drug barons, society must do all that is possible to help victims of drug abuse,” he said.

It is expected that patients at the Female Dual Diagnosis Unit spend a maximum of six weeks during which they will undergo a detoxification process followed by therapy for their mental health problems. Rehabilitation and integration back into society should follow suit.

The junior minister said Mt Carmel Hospital would continue to invest in specialised care: last week, Opposition MP Claudio Grech said the political forces should come together and develop a strategy were minors suffering from mental health problems receive care in a more specialised and adequate environment.

Due to the lack of a proper facility for children, clinical decisions have led to minors being placed in seclusion wards or in wards with adults.

In Fearne’s own words, children with behavioural problems, including those suffering from problems not relating to mental health, were placed in the hospital’s young people’s unit.

“There are problems which have been going on for years and which we have inherited. They were wrong before and remain so today. The next step is for us to offer a specialised service to children. We will address it,” Fearne said.

Echoing his comments, Mount Carmel CEO Clifton Grima said there were different areas of specialisations the hospital could start focusing on.

Grima pointed out that not every patient with a mental health problem had to be placed in an institution: “There are patients who can and are receiving care within the community. This service should be expanded.”