The Malta Association of Psychiatric Nursing (MAPN) held its first seminar, entitled "Psychiatric nursing - the change agent in mental health", on January 23 at the John Paul II Hall in Attard.
The event was a resounding success, and attendance exceeded expectations. The MAPN council received encouraging feedback after the seminar.
John Degiorgio (acting manager, nursing services at Mount Carmel Hospital), who chaired the seminar, gave a brief introduction briefly describing the evolution in nursing at Mount Carmel Hospital (MCH) over the years. Edward Borg (CEO, MCH) outlined the management's role to ensure that nurses have the opportunity to keep developing professionally during their career. Continued development should not be an excuse to take a break from work, he said, but rather an effort by the nurse to improve the service to clients.
Dr Joseph Saliba (clinical director, MCH) commented that the title chosen for the seminar was quite bold, since many different professions claim to be the primary change agent in mental health. He encouraged psychiatric nurses to rise to this challenge and prove themselves. He also commented that psychiatric nursing is a demanding profession since it requires the nurse to be a carer and guardian who dispenses knowledge and discipline.
Martin Ward (course co-ordinator, Mental Health Nursing) stressed the importance of having the right person for the right job. He said that all the different professions involved in mental health care should not try to compete with each other but rather complement one another for the benefit of the clients in their care.
Josanne Drago Bason (deputy course co-ordinator, Mental Health Nursing) and Carmen Gales (B.Sc. mental health nurse) gave a detailed history of Maltese mental health nursing. Their presentation, 'The journey of psychiatric nursing in Malta', also delved into the current role of the psychiatric nurse.
In a brief discussion after this presentation, Jesmond Sharples (director, Nursing Services) commented that nowadays, many nurses are actively choosing to work at MCH. He also insisted that he is committed to dispelling the idea that nurses are sent to work at MCH as a form of punishment. Mr Borg agreed and added that instances where nurses are penalised by being transferred to MCH against their will are a thing of the past.
After a brief coffee break May Caruana (community mental health services manager) and Therese Runza (community outreach team leader) made a presentation detailing the great progress made in recent years by community mental health services. In a short discussion following the presentation it was agreed that, while everyone acknowledges the need to extend community services across the country, we currently lack the resources to do so.
Following this, Pierre Galea (home support worker, Richmond Foundation) outlined the role of the community mental health nurse in the UK. He also explained in brief the system used in community care and the role of the various members of the multi disciplinary team.
At the end of the presentations Connie Magro, Rose Galea and Charmaine Borg led three workgroups which generated further discussion. Kevin Gafà (MAPN president) in his closing speech, said that up till now it has been extremely difficult to find a proper sponsor for the association and that this would be attributed to the stigma attached to mental health care.
MAPN, he said, plans to hold many activitie, publish a newsletter and expand its Website (www.map-n.com). He also announced that the Horatio Festival for Psychiatric Nurses will be held in Malta in November 2008 and hosted by MAPN.
Following the half-day seminar those present continued discussing the points raised during the presentations while enjoying an open-air high tea.
Mr Abela, a psychiatric nurse, is MAPN's PRO