Collaboration allows operations to be held

The hospital yesterday allocated specific breaks to theatre nurses in an attempt to minimise disruption to operations after the nurses' union directed members to take their breaks on time.

"Nurses collaborated and all planned operations were carried out," Health Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar said.

Earlier, the secretariat said Mater Dei Hospital's management was taking all the necessary measures to ensure operations continued as planned while respecting nurses' breaks.

The action was taken following a letter sent to the health authorities by the general secretary of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, Colin Galea on Monday saying that from yesterday theatre nurses would be taking their breaks at the scheduled time rather than working around operations.

The MUMN issued the directive in a dispute over the introduction of technicians to work in theatres instead of nurses, despite a recognised shortage of nurses.

When contacted, Mr Galea confirmed he had sent the letter following a meeting with Social Policy Minister John Dalli last week.

The secretariat said yesterday the new grade of technicians was developed to ensure nurses could be freed from work that could be done by other categories. It expressed disappointment that this was not being supported by the union.

"Technicians will be working under the continuous supervision of trained nurses in a bid to open up more operating theatres and reduce waiting lists," it said.

A two-year course for the technicians is expected to open at the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology next scholastic year.

But Mr Galea said enrolled nurses, who could also work in other areas, should be employed instead. He appealed to Mr Dalli to return to the discussion table.

MUMN President Paul Pace insisted that this was not an industrial action.

"We are just telling people not to make any more sacrifices, since they will be replaced," he said.