Nurses at St Vincent De Paul Residence are feeling the pressure after an industrial dispute - which entered its sixth day yesterday - increased their workload dramatically.

Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses president Paul Pace expressed concern that the dispute was taking its toll on the nurses. "We are worried about back injuries and that they will burn out," he told The Times.

Despite contacts between the health authorities and the General Workers' Union yesterday, no development was registered.

Last Friday, the union ordered nursing aides, health assistants and care workers at state hospitals and homes for the elderly to only do food-related jobs, including handing out breakfast, tea and coffee. Their job usually includes assisting nurses in the washing and cleaning of patients and getting them out of bed.

Although the directives affected all hospitals and homes, St Vincent de Paul was the worst hit because of the number of bedridden patients.

Mr Pace said the situation at St Vincent was not pleasant for nurses, especially during the night, when only one nurse per ward is on duty.

He also voiced concern for patients, saying it was not possible for the nurse at night to turn patients around.

Bedridden patients are usually turned around every two hours to avoid bedsores, which can be extremely painful and even fatal if they become infected. Moreover, it was not possible for a nurse on his own to change patients, he said.

"We hope the Health Division will find a way not to leave nurses on their own at night while directives are in force," he said.

The GWU had said it will not withdraw the directives until a meeting with the government is fixed. On the other hand, the government has called on the union to suspend the directives, promising a meeting this week.

Unless a meeting is held in the coming days there is a risk that directives will remain in force until August 27 since some union officials need to go abroad next Monday.