Government, nurses' union reach agreement

Agreement on a number of issues was reached yesterday between the government and the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses.

In a joint statement the office of the Prime Minister and the union said they agreed on several principles including that the nursing profession should be given recognition through a warrant, the bridging concept should be recognised, the nature of work of nurses and midwives should be appreciated and incentives be given for nursing and midwifery courses to be more attractive.

An agreement was reached to conclude the technical points which would enable the implementation of these principles in the coming weeks.

It was also agreed that measures should be taken quickly to address the need of support and clerical staff in hospitals.

The two parties agreed that the opening of Mater Dei Hospital should lead to a quality leap in health services. Both sides bound themselves to collaborate more in future for the care given to patients to be of the highest level.