Health Ministry insists on need for hospital bed study

The bed remodelling exercise at Mater Dei Hospital, criticised by unions as a “waste of time”, is essential to running an efficient hospital, the Health Ministry is insisting.

“The remodelling exercise has to take place to redistribute beds and staff according to the actual needs of the hospital and make it more efficient... Unions’ objections to this simply confirm they are against any change towards efficiency... We appeal to all unions to be more sensitive towards patients’ needs,” a ministry spokesman said.

Reacting, the Medical Association of Malta, which represents doctors, and the Emergency Nurses’ Union said they were all for efficiency for the benefit of patients. They agreed they were not being kept informed about the remodelling exercise and were ready to contribute to changes for the better.

However, the president of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, Paul Pace went a step further and threatened: “If he (the Health Minister) decides to carry out remodelling without consultation with the union there will be big trouble. We want discussions.”

On Thursday, the three unions said they were tired of the bed shortage situation and were looking at possible industrial action as a measure of last resort. The ministry spokesman preferred not to comment on the industrial action threat at this stage.

The unions were practically unanimous in their reactions to the bed remodelling exercise and agreed it was a waste of time because the causes of the bed shortage that has plagued the hospital since it opened its doors were already known and immediate action was needed.

MAM president Martin Balzan said that one of the main issues was the lack of geriatric services in the community and lack of legislation protecting the elderly from being abandoned in hospital by relatives, where they blocked beds. Then there was the lack of palliative care for people with incurable illnesses.

Even if these issues were tackled, there were still not enough beds to cater for the needs of the population, he said. As a long-term solution, there had to be a proper study of the country’s needs.

Referring to the remodelling plans, Dr Balzan said this only offered temporary “short-term patchwork” because the problem was much more deep-rooted.

“We are open to discussions to improve patients’ care... We want change but are not being given enough information,” Dr Balzan said.

Mr Pace said the bed remodelling exercise only made sense if there were beds left to move around, which was not the case.

John Zammit, representing emergency nurses, said: “They can do the remodelling exercise but we know what the problems are... We don’t have time to waste... the union is willing to help.” He said it was unfortunate that such decisions were being taken without consulting those who worked in the field.

On Thursday, Dr Balzan and Mr Zammit said the “unacceptable” bed shortage situation was pushing them to consider industrial action.

Mr Pace said the union would have no choice but to issue directives to its members if the bed shortage at the day surgery ward was not solved by Monday.

The Confederation of Malta Trade Unions said yesterday it supported any action taken by the three unions.