Migration plan 'consultation' wrangle

The nurses' union reiterated yesterday it had not been consulted about the migration plan to Mater Dei Hospital even if the authorities insist otherwise.

The president of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, Rudolph Cini, said a meeting was held but it was for informative purposes only, during which nurses' representatives were shown a power-point presentation outlining the migration plan.

"It was a fait accompli. In fact, we were told to put any objections in writing to the Health Division since the hospital representatives present at the meeting were not in a position to make any changes," he said. However, a spokesman for St Luke's and Mater Dei hospitals said the union had made several valid suggestions during the lengthy discussions.

Mr Cini refuted this, adding that the union will be requesting minute-taking during other meetings.

In a press conference last Thursday, the union threatened to direct its members to report for work at St Luke's Hospital on the day the health services are moved to Mater Dei unless it is involved in talks about the migration plan.

In its reaction, the hospital management yesterday said it was prepared to consider proposals by unions regarding the migration to Mater Dei. It said it is also prepared to meet union representatives if they felt the need for this.