Rudolph Cini gets the chop

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has decided to remove former president Rudolph Cini from the post of honorary president, The Times has learnt.

The union's council met on November 21 to discuss Mr Cini's future after he questioned hard-hitting directives which could have had serious consequences for patients.

Maryanne Bugeja, the union's former treasurer, said she had been told of the decision by MUMN president Paul Pace when she asked him if she could help remedy the situation.

When contacted Mr Cini said he did not agree with the decision and will today be calling publicly for Mr Pace's resignation.

The former president had questioned whether the union should have ordered tough directives following a poorly attended rally for members. Hospital Superintendent Frank Bartolo had warned that patients needing urgent renal dialysis could die if nurses followed the directives.