Updated - Adds MAM statement

The Health Department said this evening that following the recent increase of between two and three beds in some wards at Mater Dei Hospital, the MUMN Nurses' Union was calling for a substantial and permanent increase in the number of nurses.

The department said such a permanent increase was not possible but it was prepared to ease the load on nurses through the engagement of day nurses.

In a statement, the department said that over the past two months it took a number of initiatives to address the additional demand on hospital services.

It said that as a result of the cold, since January 1 an average of 25 more persons per day were admitted to hospital compared to the same period last year.

In order to ease the pressure on Mater Dei, the Department increased the number of beds at St Vincent de Paule Home by 30 and bought more beds from the private sector.

Some 50 elderly people were admitted to Zammit Clapp Hospital, which was reopened as a nursing home.

Refurbishment was continued at Karin Grech rehabilitation hospital so that it could have more beds.

However, since demand continued to increase, the department also added two or three beds in some wards at Mater Dei, raising the number of patients to 26 or 27 from 24.

The Department said the MUMN had disagreed with this measure because it said it increased pressure on nursing staff. Therefore, the department said, the union was asking the department to consider a substantial and permanent increase in the number of nurses.

The department said it recognised that nurses worked under increased pressure in the past two months, especially those in the Emergency Department.

While thanking all the staff, the Health Department said it was not in a position to consider a permanent and substantial increase in nurses on both the day and night shifts in wards where the number of beds was increased by only by two or three beds. This would not be the most effective use of human resources. The department was however prepared to consider having more day nurses in those wards and the Emergency Department.

The Health Department urged nurses to continue to do their best in the interests of the elderly and the sick.

MAM SUPPORTS MEASURES BY MATER DEI MANAGEMENT

The Medical Association of Malta in a separate statement said it was 'very concerned' about the large number of medical admissions to Mater Dei Hospital because of the very cold winter.

"The MAM has already expressed its concern about the dangers to patients who are held in the corridors near the Casualty Department because the wards are full. The MAM supports the measures taken by the hospital management and the Ministry of Health to minimize the risk to patients by utilizing the space in medical wards more efficiently. MAM is convinced that working conditions for medical and nursing staff are also much better when caring for patients on wards than in corridors where there are no facilities available," the MAM said.

It added that while it recognised the importance of these short term measures it felt that long term solutions were essential. It appealed to the Health Ministry to immediately perform the necessary studies, and come up with the necessary planning so that in the future, the health care system would have sufficient acute medical beds to serve the needs of the country.

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