Charmaine Attard is still waiting for a reply from the Government about why she was removed from her role as director of nursing and midwifery at Mater Dei Hospital two-and-a-half years before her term was up.

Ms Attard was appointed director in 2009 after a call for applications by the Foundation for Medical Services. She was reappointed in November 2012 when her three-year term was up.

Two months after the election of the new government, Ms Attard was summoned by the head of the Health Minister’s secretariat, Claudio Tonna, who informed her she was being removed from the post because of “complaints”. But he could not provide further details, her husband, Stephen, told the Times of Malta on her behalf.

The news came as a blow to Ms Attard, who had been awarded a bonus for her performance for three consecutive years.

The couple immediately sought an explanation from the Office of the Prime Minister, but they have not heard anything.

A week after her dismissal, Ms Attard received a letter from FMS informing her that her services were required at Karen Grech Rehabilitation Hospital. The letter said the redeployment was being carried out in line with a clause in her contract.

Mr Attard said that although her 2009-2012 contract stated her employment was required at Mater Dei Hospital and/or at any other premises, her 2012 contract stated that her employment would be required at Mater Dei and any other premises.

Mr Attard said no call for applications had been issued for the appointment of her successor, Isabelle Aquilina. The Health Ministry failed to confirm or deny this allegation when contacted.

Mr Attard noted that his wife’s work had met with some opposition, but nurses contacted by this newspaper questioned the removal of Ms Attard and the appointment of Ms Aquilina, while others commended the former’s track record and vision.

The Health Ministry said Ms Attard’s good qualities were an asset and were being made use of for better accountability at Karen Grech Rehabilitation Hospital. Her position was executive director nursing.

“The Health Ministry is sure that she will be more focused in a smaller and elderly-oriented specialised hospital.

“Ms Attard has a new set of challenges. The concept of active ageing as against the dynamics of our nation’s changing demography should instigate and motivate any healthcare professional in this field,” a spokesman said.

Other questions including whether the ministry had received any complaints on Ms Attard’s removal from her post at Mater Dei and whether there had been a call for applications for the post at Mater Dei in May, when Ms Attard was removed, remained unanswered.