Nurses welcome action to increase support staff

The action being taken by the Health Division to increase the number of nursing support staff at St Luke's Hospital has been welcomed by the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses after it complained about an acute shortage last month.

Contacted yesterday, MUMN general secretary Colin Galea said the issue was discussed during a recent meeting with heath director general Ray Busuttil who had informed them the matter was being addressed. According to Mr Galea, the recruitment of staff at St Luke's is being considered as a priority, also in view of the transfer to Mater Dei, the new hospital at Tal Qroqq, next year.

The union was informed that the division was considering employing four graduate care assistants and it was also looking at the deployment of workers from other public service sectors.

Mr Galea said the union will be giving the division until mid-September to start executing the plans, saying it was imperative for action to be taken.

A Health Division spokesman had no further comment to make on the issue.