Long wait to see paramedics

Patients will have to queue for a minimum of 30 minutes to see paramedics on outpatient appointments from today as industrial action that came into force nearly two weeks ago is stepped up.

The new set of directives will affect all grades of paramedics in the public sector, including physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists, medical laboratory scientists, speech language pathologists and audiologists.

The Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the government has failed to make headway in resolving their differences over conditions of work. The union is demanding feedback on its proposals as it seeks to update a 2007 agreement.

However, the Health Ministry is insisting it cannot hold discussions while the directives remain in place.

At the end of June, some 800 paramedics were instructed not to carry out community work or use means of communication, among other directives.

Besides the minimum waiting time, the new instructions mean there will be no new adult referrals for hearing aids. New St Vincent de Paul patients will not be seen to, unless it is a life-threatening case, while podologists will not trim toenails. Physiotherapists will not carry out any group therapy in schools.

Union section secretary Gian Paul Gauci claimed harassment by “a small number of administrative staff who are intimidating workers following the directives”.

He warned that if the harassment persisted, their names will be made public.