Routine blood tests cancelled as nurses plan new action

Nurses' industrial action has forced the health authorities to stop non-emergency blood tests carried out at government health centres.

The service, which is used by some 240 patients a day, has been halted until further notice, with the Health Division expressing solidarity with "innocent sufferers".

However, patients who use the anticoagulant drug Warfarin, and who need regular blood checks, should still go to health centres for the test.

Nurses and midwives have been following industrial action since the end of October and the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses is expected to announce new directives tonight during a rally for its members.

Nurses and midwives are expected to be directed to work to rule and stop performing all non-nursing services in all sectors, amid discontent over staff shortages, the failure to provide staff meals and the lack of a professional warrant which they had been promised a year ago.

"The directives will be widespread and will target areas which have not yet been affected, from health centres to operating theatres," union president Paul Pace told The Times.

Asked whether the actions could result in operations being postponed, Mr Pace said "anything can happen", although he stressed that cancelling surgery was not the union's objective.

Since October nurses have been under a directive not to carry out certain non-nursing duties, including clerical work, and not to take blood samples.

Mr Pace said there were no official meetings with the health authorities scheduled to discuss the issue.

The government has criticised the directives, saying the union is causing hardship to patients for frivolous and senseless reasons. The Social Policy Ministry had also appealed to nurses and midwives to honour their professional obligations while keeping patients as their top priority.