MAM calls for talks on migration plan

The Medical Association of Malta has called on the Health Division to start immediate discussions about the migration plan from St Luke's Hospital to the new Mater Dei hospital at Tal-Qroqq.

MAM said: "Only then can a smooth and safe migration be ensured. Any plan that is worked out in consultation with all interested parties is more likely to succeed."

The association has complained that it has not been consulted over the planned migration.

MAM said the response given by the director general of health - that this matter did not concern the association - only served to lead to unnecessary confrontation.

Such an attitude, MAM added, also went against the government's declared policy to discuss matters with all interested parties.

"Migration, especially if protracted, has a direct impact on doctors' conditions of work and therefore MAM has every right to be consulted.

"The Health Division should realise that MAM has a legitimate interest in making sure that migration does not compromise patient safety."

MAM said the migration plan was discussed with a number of commissioning teams but they had mostly been presented with a fait accompli with regard to the main points of the plan.