Mater Dei to launch internal inquiry into shocking waiting area death

Mater Dei Hospital will launch an internal inquiry into the death of a man who died while waiting at the emergency department

Stephen Mangion, a retired police officer from Valletta, died at around 23:00 on Tuesday following a 3-hour wait after complaining about intense chest pain.

He collapsed and died soon after he asked reception staff again when he would be seen to – in full view of other patients awaiting treatment.

Health minister Jo Etienne Abela told journalists on Thursday that this inquiry, separate from an ongoing magisterial inquiry, will be led by a retired judge.

Abela promised full transparency on what went on in this case and said he has no problem in publishing the inquiry once the report is drawn up.

The minister told Newsbook it was not a secret that the hospital was understaffed: “We know about it and it needs to be addressed”.

Not treated with urgency

After seeking assistance at the Floriana health centre on Tuesday evening, Stephen Mangion was asked to go to Mater Dei’s emergency unit with his private car.

This has been reported by lawyer and former PN MP Jason Azzopardi who highlighted the case on Facebook on Wednesday night.

Police sources confirmed that Mangion, accompanied by his former wife and two children, arrived at the hospital at 20:30, suffering from high blood pressure.

At 22:30 he complained about intense chest pain and asked reception staff when he would be seen to. He collapsed soon after, CPR was performed, and Mangion died at 23:00.

The police investigation has been widened to look into what happened at the Floriana health centre, and a magisterial inquiry led by magistrate Joe Mifsud is underway.