The government has offered to show the entire contracts between Vitals Global Healthcare, Steward Healthcare System, and the government to the trade unions involved in the concession for three state hospitals (Gozo General Hospital, St Luke’s, and Karin Grech) on the condition of confidentiality, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne revealed when approached by The Malta Independent.
The Medical Association of Malta (MAM), Fearne claimed, has so far refused the government’s offer.
He also insisted that the government has not breached the collective agreement after failing to inform the union six weeks prior to the announcement of the concession transfer on 21 December, claiming that the deal between Steward and VGH was not a new concession but rather a transfer of shares - a claim that MAM has rejected.
Fearne was speaking after a two and half hour meeting, which MAM described as making “no progress”, that was called in response to the union issuing industrial directives over their serious concerns over the 30-year concession, that were highlighted after VGH, which had no previous experiences in the industry, announced its intention to sell 21 months into operations, over what is believed to be serious mounting financial difficulty.
The directives will directly affect the Outpatients Department at the hospital, except the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre and the Maternity clinics. The emergency department will not be affected; however, Mater Dei Hospital officials have warned that the directives could create pressure on the department.
With regards to Public-Private Partnerships, Fearne said that the ministry and MAM are in agreement that the health infrastructure must improve, even if it is through private investment, but that it should be at the best benefit of patients, staff, and the public in general.
MAM and the Ministry also discussed a number of other issues, which Fearne said they would be able to find solutions, such as contracts outside of sectoral agreements, and wage discrepancies within health centres.
Pressed as to whether this drive for communication was not reactive to the backlash the announcement received from unions and the public last December, he insisted that the government had included the unions from “day one”.
MAM General Secretary Martin Balzan had lamented the government’s lack of interest to see things change after the meeting and stressed that Steward is not the problem, but rather the deal itself is.
"If someone is bleeding out, you stop the blood then close the wound; you don't keep the wound open for 30 years. The government has put itself in a weak negotiating position [in the deal] after severely exposing itself and the patients. We firmly believe that even if it costs a lot to get out of the deal it will still be more harmful to continue down this path," he said.
Responding to Balzan’s comments on the meeting, Fearne said that “to call industrial action is the right of the union. I believe we are offering solutions to how can move forward. I feel we are showing our credentials that we always seek a beneficial compromise.”
Asked whether further strikes could result in job losses, Fearne said that the government “will not take drastic decisions. They have their right as a union and these are industrial concerns. Hopefully, we can reach a positive conclusion together.”
Doctors on strike today