Operation of health centres on the agenda

Meetings between the doctors' union and the authorities about future changes in work practices at health centres started yesterday as work at the government clinics returned to normal.

The meeting, which was described as "cordial" by Medical Association of Malta president Martin Balzan, came a day after a directive to health centre doctors was lifted.

"It was a cordial meeting on the overall vision for the future of healthcare in Malta," he said.

On Monday evening, the MAM withdrew a directive calling on doctors working at the Qormi, Rabat and Cospicua health centres to report for work at other clinics, leaving these unmanned by doctors. A doctor was only present at the Gżira health centre until 1 p.m.

However, the directive only lasted for a day, with an agreement being reached between the two parties late on Monday night. Although the agreement, a copy of which was seen by The Times, states that limited coverage in health centres will start from Monday, a Social Policy Ministry spokesman said one still had to wait for the result of discussions that will be held in the coming days.

The agreement says the Gżira health centre would stop operating at night from next Monday. The Floriana, Paola and Mosta health centres would continue operating around the clock.

Health centre doctors will man all government clinics in the mornings but will only operate two out of the Qormi, Rabat, Gżira and Cospicua clinics in the afternoons. The doctors will not provide medical cover in the two other clinics or cover for vacation or sick leave.

The agreement says it will be the prerogative of management to implement the necessary measures to man the other two health centres in the afternoon.