An 89-year-old murder suspect has had his case delayed by six months, while he awaits a mental health report, amid COVID-19-related setbacks.

The elderly man, a resident at The Basin retirement village in Melbourne, is accused of killing his wife, aged 87, in May last year.

He is currently residing in a nursing home, after becoming physically and mentally unwell during custody, prompting his early bail release.

The suspect’s lawyers are waiting on a report from forensic mental health group, Forensicare, which is currently closed and being operated remotely; hence the six-month delay.

Magistrate, Donna Bakos, said, given the circumstances, the case should have bypassed the committal stage in the lower court and escalated straight to the Supreme Court.

Regardless, the suspect has been ordered to appear in court in September.