New ward still closed

The new medical admissions ward at St Luke's Hospital remained closed yesterday for the third consecutive day.

The ward had to be opened last Monday to provide an area where patients could be diagnosed and treated after which they would either be discharged or admitted to another ward within three days.

However, the Medical Association of Malta has directed doctors not to admit patients because it deemed that, given the shortage of doctors, patient safety within the ward could not be guaranteed. It said the opening of the new unit would result in an increased workload, an opinion disputed by the hospital authorities.