New agreement attracts attention of doctors working abroad

The Medical Association of Malta is expecting between 30 and 40 of the 150 consultants to forfeit private practice in exchange for a better pay package.

Meanwhile, the new collective agreement, signed by the doctors' union and the government on Thursday, has stirred interest among doctors working abroad, who have contacted the association for more information, MAM general secretary Martin Balzan told The Times.

Consultants who forfeit private practice will be given a minimum guaranteed salary of just over Lm28,000 (€65,222) in 2010, more than double their current Lm13,011 (€30,307). Those who forfeit private practice will be able to work a five-day week - from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Currently consultants also work on Saturday mornings.

Many of the consultants who have shown interest in maintaining their private practice against a lower salary have mentioned work flexibility as the main reason, Dr Balzan said.

Although doctors who decide to maintain private practice will be given a minimum guaranteed pay of Lm18,500, they can increase this to some Lm24,000 in 2011 if they do extra afternoon sessions.

Dr Balzan pointed out that extra work will be contracted on a yearly basis and consultants' work will be audited annually.

The new agreement also provides for structured training for doctors, something the MAM has long been asking for. Moreover, doctors will be given substantial allowances to further their education, including going on courses abroad.

"Our vision is to turn Mater Dei Hospital into a centre of excellence through the infrastructure and equipment, the quality of health care provided and the quality of both undergraduate education and postgraduate training," he said.

Dr Balzan pointed out that the agreement also gives a substantial pay rise to health centre doctors, who are indispensable for the health system. The GP vocational training scheme will be strengthened as trainees will receive specialist allowances. The agreement recognises GPs is fundamental role in treating patients in the community and their role in making sure that only those in need of hospital care are referred to Mater Dei.

The new agreement was approved by the vast majority of doctors earlier this week.

Apart from a more lucrative financial package for doctors and the setting up of postgraduate training, the agreement also allows for better organisation of work based on a number of sessions held throughout the day - even in the afternoon and evening.

The government said the agreement will bring about better flexibility in work practices and should lead to shorter waiting lists.

During the signing ceremony between the government and the MAM, Parliamentary Secretary Helen D'Amato said the agreement was in line with the government's policy to make Malta a centre of excellence in health by 2015.

The agreement with doctors follows others reached with pharmacists and nurses as well as a memorandum of understanding with paramedics.