MMDNA, the aged and infirm (2)

I refer to Albert Fenech's letter Terrible Treatment Of The Aged and Infirm with particular reference to his comments regarding the Malta Memorial District Nursing Association.

While apologies are due for any shortcomings by the MMDNA staff, Mr Fenech should also consider the excellent services his parents have been receiving in the past from our hardworking and dedicated nurses. They are out in all weather daily, in summer heat and winter cold.

The present incidents are regretted and if any member of the MMDNA staff behaved in the manner described by Mr Fenech then apologies are due and are offered right away and action taken for any misbehaviour on their part.

We fully understand his feelings for his parents in the circumstances.

If, on the other hand, Mr Fenech showed the same anger in his phone calls as he did in his writing then perhaps the MMDNA staff involved can be excused to some extent. Our nurses are carrying a heavy workload in difficult circumstances and they themselves deserve the greatest sympathy.

It is worth pointing out that during the month of September our nurses carried out 31,737 calls both for community and membership patients. October saw an increase on these numbers so far with the flu injections.

The council and board of management of the MMDNA have the greatest sympathy for Mr Fenech's parents. But please in turn we ask that a little sympathy be shown to our dedicated nurses who are working under great pressure.