The nurses' union has called on the Prime Minister to intervene in connection with a shortage of social workers in public hospitals.
Malta is facing a serious shortage of social workers, which is especially felt in the public sector, the MUMN said in a letter to Joseph Muscat, copied in to the media.
The shortage has been caused because of the poor working conditions, a situation which is leading to burnout among social workers doing their utmost to work with vulnerable people.
The situation was bad especially among social workers in the areas which cater for children, those who suffer from mental illness and prisoners. Such a problem with resources was impacting the care given to the patients themselves.
The MUMN said the solution could be resolved through a new sectoral agreement focused specifically on social workers.