The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has postponed a press conference scheduled for Monday as a sign of good will.

The presser was set to take place in front of the St Vincent de Paul residential home for elderly people on Monday.

The decision was made “as a sign of good will until the nurse suspended for 5 days will receive a reply if he is allowed to return to work in SVP or remain suspended.”

In a previous notice, the MUMN said that it was to give “new information on the fake inquiry, how this had been accepted by the establishment, and how nurses are being treated”.

The MUMN was also to give information on industrial action, while nurses who were supporting their suspended colleague were to show their solidarity.

An internal inquiry had established that the disappearance of Karmenu Fino from St Vincent de Paul was the result of shortcomings in the standard of care provided by employees rather than a systematic failure. The man is still missing.

The MUMN took exception to the conclusions of an inquiry, and issued directives to nurses in protest. In reply, the Active Ageing Ministry said the directives issued by the MUMN "will affect the patients, elderly residents who will undeservedly bear the brunt."