The nursing and midwifery professions in Malta are experiencing an exciting challenging moment. Nurses and midwives are continuously pressing for further studies in their career and looking for new techniques and evidence-based improved therapy for the benefit of our patients.
The care delivered by nurses and midwives is shifting from an institutional structure to a more independent and autonomous type. Innovation and improved professional skills are the core of a successful health care service in our country. Nurses and midwives are enthusiastic to face the challenge.
The recently negotiated sectoral agreement between the government and the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses focused not merely on improved pay packages but also on the importance of continuous professional development.
Nurses and midwives are pressing to obtain the needed support from the health authorities to continue to update and develop their professions. The dimensions of nursing and midwifery are in constant expansion and change. This change is brought about by the wilfulness of the majority of nurses and midwives. The role of nurses and midwives is finally getting its' due respect. The shift from nurses and midwives being considered as doctors' assistants to a more independent professional role is finally happening.
Today we find a substantial number of clinical nurses/midwives specialists in all our hospitals. Nurses and midwives are improving their expertise with the ultimate aim of delivering the best care to our patients. Specialisation is the epitome of the advancement of the professions and the level of delivery of care. Unfortunately, nurses and midwives are constantly restrained from adopting the appropriate approach of care to our patients due to various factors, mainly due to bureaucratic situations, the environment and, most of all, the never-ending story of lack of personnel.
The aspect of specialising in one particular medical area was also given its' due importance during negotiations leading to the sectoral agreement.
Nurses and midwives will refer to a new structure for advancement of their professional career. When specialising one is more knowledgeable of and accountable for the way our patients are cared for.
This new era is gaining momentum and organisations catering for specific specialities are being formed. The first such organisation was established recently for Maltese orthopaedic nurses. The aim of these organisations is to bring together all nurses and midwives of a particular speciality and use their potential to exchange ideas, to update and improve their professional skills and collaborate with similar international organisations.
The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses is four square behind such organisation.
Nurses- and midwives-led clinics are the way forward to achieve an improved health care service. One of the most exemplary nurse-led clinics in Malta is definitely the Tissue Viability Clinic.
A conference organised recently by the clinic nurse specialist of this unit conveyed a clear message to all that our nurses and midwives have potential. The conference was a total success.
This is the way forward; nurses and midwives can lead clinics. A role, which is already being experienced in various developed countries such as the UK. This will lead to the primary care services having the much-needed boost and ease pressure on hospitals.
Together we must strive to shift the present system from a medically oriented health care to a patient oriented one. After all who is the person that needs to be at the centre of attraction while making use of the health care services?
Mr Cini is the infection control nurse at SVPR, president of the MUMN and a member of the board of directors in the International Council of Nurses.