The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) has said it is very happy that the Malta Labour Party has decided that Maltese nurses should be awarded a warrant in order to practise their profession.

The MUMN said that since its inception it had argued that the nursing profession should have the same status as other professions.

The union said that, in its draft health policy, the MLP acknowledged the nursing profession’s importance, and said that, once in government, it would grant warrants to nurses.

The MUMN said it was disappointed that the present government had not taken a decision on the matter.

In a counter-statement, the Health Division said it was seriously considering their request.

The division said the MUMN was linking due recognition solely to the award of a warrant, adding that nurses enjoyed full autonomy in their work as stated in the Health Care Professions Act 2003, which regulates health related professions.

The health division said that some years ago the government had recognised the nursing and midwifery profession by founding the nursing directorate. It had also founded the Institute of Health Care and given financial incentives so that more students would choose the profession.

The division said working conditions had been improved and the status of nurses had been improved as their qualifications were now recognised throughout the EU. It said that enrolled nurses now had the opportunity to become staff nurses by taking a conversion course. A three-year part-time bachelors degree had been established for nurses who wished to continue working full-time, and those who want to study abroad can now do so.