Update 4.14pm - Adds PN statements
The Medical Association of Malta has postponed its directives until June 20 to allow for further discussions and implementation, as it warned against interference from ministerial secretariats.
The deterioration of the island’s health centres has led to an exodus of young doctors and unacceptable patient waiting lists, according to the association.
In a statement this morning, MAM members condemned the interference from various individuals in ministerial secretariats in the daily running of health centres, either directly and indirectly. It said that these individuals were often insisting that patients without appointments be seen despite various agreements and protocols to the contrary.
Ministerial secretariats were often insisting that patients without appointments be seen
This is unfair on emergency patients who have to face delays due to overcrowding, and creates chaos within the health centres many times leading to problems with safety and security.
It said that MAM members at the health centres yesterday fully supported the association's stand to declare an industrial dispute, insisting on the need for administrative changes at health centres which would improve the quality of service and provide adequate security for staff members.
It said that the increase in the number of doctors and a promised number of administrative changes were welcomed.
For these reasons, while welcoming the progress in the negotiations, MAM members decided not to withdraw the industrial dispute and authorised the council to issue trade union directives from June 20.
"MAM members hope that this period will be used by health centre management and put its house in order, and lead by encouraging all members of staff to treat patients fairly and equitably without interference."
Ministerial secretariats must stop meddling - PN
The PN said that civil servants should keep out of running the health sector. It claimed that ministerial secretariats were also meddling in Mater Dei Hospital's administration, especially in the emergency and out patients departments.
It called on the government and MAM to keep discussing how industrial action could be avoided, "but meddling by ministerial secretariats must stop."