Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne this morning confirmed that his secretariat is in talks with Northumbria University – based in Newcastle – to set up a nursing campus in Malta, confirming various reports published in The Malta Independent late last month.

He did however say that the government is also negotiating with other nursing schools outside Europe.

The Malta Independent recently reported that Northumbria University – initially identified by former MUMN president Paul Pace and ministry officials – was showing interest in setting up shop here. The aim of the school is to help boost the nursing skills of nurses in Malta.

Fearne encourages youths to join nursing profession, says plenty of opportunities await them

The aim of today’s news conference was to encourage youths to enter the nursing profession. Dr Fearne, along with MUMN officials, said that a number of nursing specialised courses will be held to fill a number of posts, noting that Malta’s hasn’t many specialist nurses.

He said that those youths who were looking to take up nursing as a profession have a chance to progress as a result of the specialised courses, including infection control, oncology, neurology, vascular surgery, and blood transfusion.

Dr Fearne highlighted that as a result of the government’s proposed investments in the health sector, opportunities for youths will increase.

Maria Cutajar – the new nursing union president – said that a campaign is being held this month to promote the nursing profession, coinciding with 1 May (Worker’s Day), 5 May (International Day of Midwives) and 12 May (International Day of Nurses).

Photo: Jonathan Borg