The nurses’ union lifted a directive, meant to come into force today, for members to stop chasing doctors for their signatures on forms needed to collect certain medicines.

Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses president Paul Pace said the responsibility had been transferred onto the management of State-run hospitals. This was agreed in talks with the Health Department.

Covering letters have to be filled to be able to obtain expensive medicine and treatments from the hospital pharmacy that are often administered intravenously to seriously ill patients. This is done by nurses but require a doctor’s signature. Last month, the union said doctors were failing to sign the letters and nurses had to chase them for their signatures. It said this had to stop and directed members to stop filling the covering letters and chasing doctors for their signatures as from today.

The judicial protest did not stop it from standing up for its members

The Medical Association of Malta then filed a judicial protest claiming the directive was “abusive, irresponsible and illegal” and was detrimental to patients.

In a statement yesterday, the MUMN said the judicial protest did not stop it from standing up for its members. Following meetings with the Health Department it was agreed that, if a doctor failed to fill a covering letter, the nurse would inform management.

“Such an agreement suited the MUMN because all responsibility and all chasing is now transferred to the management by one phone call,” Mr Pace said.