Reference is made to the article, Putting the patient first? (TMID, 3 January), signed by Director, Nursing Services, Jesmond Sharples.

The article referred to an interview I gave to one of your journalists entitled Putting the patient first (TMID, 27 December).

I must say that Mr Sharples managed to astound me with his comments and I feel that it is my duty to clarify some remarks mentioned in his article.

First and foremost, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN), being a professional and pro-active organisation, formulated a draft curriculum for the introduction of a Family Health Nurse.

This is a role which is highly appreciated in developed countries such as the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Italy and is also very much highly recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The role is not, as Mr Sharples implied, in a still exploratory phase.

In countries mentioned above, the Family Health Nurse was introduced many years ago. WHO is all in favour of the development of primary health care and

considers nurses as the backbone as such development.

I would have sincerely believed that Mr Sharples would have been four square behind the MUMN’s concept of involving the nurses more in the delivery of community care.

I can assure Mr Sharples that the document drafted by MUMN is a basis for discussion and is not the final word. That is why MUMN is still waiting for a meeting requested by the same union with Mr Sharples in order to present him a copy of this draft. When the same document was recently presented to Health Minister Louis Deguara, he seemed very enthusiastic about such an initiative and assured the union that he will come back with his comments after studying it.

Can Mr Sharples explain this negative reaction? Is this the director’s vision for the future of nursing in Malta?

In his article, Mr Sharples suggested that MUMN should not put forward such initiatives as according to him these are the Health Ministry’s prerogative. Quite a contradiction from what happened a few years ago, when MUMN presented a draft curriculum to Mr Sharples himself regarding the introduction of a new conversion course from enrolled nurse to staff nurse to upgrade the nursing profession.

Mr Sharples then welcomed such proposals. Why this change of attitude? Why was not he concerned about any financial implications at that time?

He also mentioned that there is no “serious shortage” of nurses in our hospitals, and compared the situation between 1998 – when there was a Labour government – and now.

Of course, there was also a shortage of nurses at that time and maybe Mr Sharples could spare some of his time searching through the newspapers for MUMN press releases during that period, so that he will be satisfied what MUMN’s position was – and not give the impression that we did not do anything.

There again, if there is no serious shortage today as confirmed by his article, I can put my mind at rest that agreements reached between the Health Division and MUMN regarding staffing levels shall be honoured immediately.

Regarding his attribution to me about being chauvinistic, I must admit I was taken by surprise, as I always consider Mr Sharples as a highly intelligent person and therefore I cannot see how he misunderstood my comment about the situation related to the high female nurses’ representation.

During my interview, I mentioned that a substantial number of female nurses are at a child-bearing age and quite rightly they seek to enjoy maternity leave. This is leading to such situations where, although the number of female nurses is increasing, in actual fact there are fewer nurses giving care.

I am sure that Mr Sharples is made aware of this scenario by the hospital nurse managers. May he inform us how he is tackling this situation?

Female nurses know quite well that they are respected and supported within the MUMN.

May I remind our director that the vice-president and the financial secretary of MUMN are both females.

With regard to our credibility, I assure Mr Sharples that during these 10 years of existence, MUMN can boast a clean sheet and was always constant in its principles.

MUMN applied and shall continue to apply the right for industrial action only when there is failure in negotiations and in most cases this union was justified in resorting to such moves.

Most action taken was always motivated with the intention to improve the quality of care to the patients.

MUMN and the Director, Nursing Services have always enjoyed a good relationship even as emphasised by the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

I hope that Mr Sharples will keep up with this kind of relationship and the least he could do is to clarify his comments.

MUMN shall be analysing this matter in the next council meeting and decide the union’s future position.

It is not being excluded that a copy of both my interview and Mr Sharples’ article will be sent to the ICN to make them aware of the situation.

Rudolph Cini

MUMN President

ICN Member Board of Directors