Industrial action was ordered this morning by the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) for the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department at Mater Dei Hospital due to “unsafe practices.” People coming into A&E however will still be treated, despite the industrial action.

A spokesperson for MUMN said that according to EU standards, the A&E department must be manned by a minimum of 14 senior nurses and 6 junior nurses.

Currently, the spokesperson explained that the Mater Dei A&E department is not meeting these minimum requirements, meaning that junior nurses are required to carry out the work of their senior counterparts.

“Apart from being unfair on the junior nurses who are still training, this also opens up a number of legal risks and amounts to unsafe practices,” said the spokesperson.

According to EU standards, a junior nurse must train under a number of different modules, such as how to answer the phones and correct use of triage, for two years before moving up. Once a senior nurse, the person would be able to perform his/her duties alone.

Asked whether patients would be affected by the industrial action, the spokesperson said that the directive orders them not carry out any triage work, but that all those who enter the department will be seen to. 

In a statement, the Nationalist Party said that once again the government has shown that it does not have the right priorities.

The industrial action confirms that the government is not focusing on improving health services. PN shadow minister for health Claudette Buttigieg called on the government to address the situation.

The government also reacted, saying that it will be adding 125 nurses as from Monday.

It said it always gave priority to the department and will be meeting the MUMN on Monday.