Midwives and nurses can now remain at their patients’ bedside even when they advance in their career as promotions will no longer be restricted to managerial positions.

The Health Ministry and the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses yesterday signed an agreement giving nurses and midwives the opportunity to keep their clinical duties even when they are promoted.

Health Minister Joe Cassar said human resources made up the core of the health services and it would not be possible without nurses and midwives. The agreement recognised the nurses’ and midwives’ commitment and made sure that patients had access to the best care.

He termed the agreement “historic” because, for the first time, nurses could advance in their career through either the clinical or the managerial stream.

The agreement also covers for the possibility of promotion through experience with a competency programme and evaluation framework.

Thanking the health and finance ministries and the Office of the Prime Minister, the MUMN said five years ago another agreement – on recruitment – had been signed. At the time there had been a shortage of nurses but now all nurses had an opportunity to work in the health sector.

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