The MUMN nurses' union this afternoon appealed to the Ministry of Health and the UHM to reach a negotiated settlement in a dispute which could see dozens of elective operations put off.

The Sunday Times of Malta reported yesterday that operations including knee and hip replacements could be postponed this week if physiotherapists go ahead with plans not to offer post-operative care.

The MUMN appealed to both sides to return to the negotiating table so that patients awaiting surgery would not be affected.

The industrial dispute involves 10 health professions: physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, speech-language pathologists, medical laboratory scientists, dental technologists, dental hygienists, radiographers, audiologists and optometrists.

The UHM said industrial action was resorted to because the ministry seemed reluctant to solve pending issues which had been on the agenda since 2013.

It said it had met ministry officials on various occasions. During some of the meetings it was confirmed in writing by the ministry that several of these issues had been solved. However solutions were never implemented and declarations made in writing were actually withdrawn by the ministry.

The UĦM also pointed that it gave a week's notice of industrial action, giving ample time to the ministry to take all necessary action.

It said it remained open for talks to solve these issues and suspend its actions.