Updated: Government warns MUMN that directives are 'illegal' - nurses to receive official letter

The Director General of Health has warned the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses that directives to nurses at Mt Carmel Hospital are illegal as they endanger patients' health.

In a strongly-worded statement, the ministry said that the MUMN had issued its directives even though there was no valid industrial dispute.

"Even if there was a valid industrial dispute, essential services have to continue to be given, and the government will not tolerate a situation where vulnerable persons are put in danger," the ministry said.

It said the union had directed the nurses at Mt Carmel Hospital not to administer medicines or treatment and for the nurses to walk out of the wards if patients became aggressive because they would not have been given treatment.

Such directives, the ministry said, were irresponsible.

It added that attempts at mediation had failed because of a lack of interest by the union leadership.

Furthermore, Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea (a former nurse) who is currently receiving treatment at Mater Dei, had invited the union for a meeting at hospital but the union refused and wanted to continue its actions.

Health Minister Joseph Cassar has cancelled his participation in a World Health Organisation conference in Russia "to ensure that the MUMN's actions do not result in harm to the patients."

All nurses involved will be receiving an official letter warning them of their responsibilities in terms of the Industrial Relations Act.

The ministry also pointed out that MUMN actions had earlier this week also hit patients who called for blood tests at health centres, and patients at the renal unit.

The union is protesting over a shortage of nurses and is also insisting that more students should be admitted in the nursing course.