A number of administrative measures are being taken to ease doctors' workload at the paediatrics department, including the deployment of a number of doctors, the Medical Association of Malta's general secretary, Martin Balzan, said.

Last week, the Malta Paediatric Association expressed concern that the department was facing a "potential crisis" due to a lack of manpower leading to doctor fatigue, saying this situation was putting children and babies at risk. The Health Division later denied that any sick children were at risk due to a lack of doctors.

Hospital sources told The Times yesterday that eight extra doctors will be deployed in the department next month after completing the two-year housemanship stage of their training.

The sources said attempts will also be made to double the number of senior paediatricians at the special care baby unit, which is currently manned by only one senior doctor each shift.

Moreover, doctors who are currently benefiting from family-friendly measures will try to help out on a voluntary basis by working one night-shift a week.

A statement on the MAM's website says that a preliminary agreement on staffing and work practices in the paediatrics department has been reached.

A Health Division spokesman said proposals aimed at resolving the issue were on the table but added that it was premature to comment further at this stage.

When contacted, Dr Balzan said that although there was no signed agreement, two of the measures agreed between the two parties had already started being implemented.

He confirmed that a number of doctors would be deployed to the paediatrics department while doctors benefiting from family-friendly measures will be helping out on a voluntary basis.