Former nurses’ union chief – and new adviser on nurse deployment – Paul Pace. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne has defended the government’s decision to appoint former nurses’ union chief Paul Pace as adviser on nursing deployment, describing him as a character who has always worked for what he believed were his union’s best interests.

Mr Pace resigned last month from the MUMN in the wake of a story published by this newspaper which highlighted his poor showing in the election for the union’s council. He said at the time that though he had no proof of it, he got wind of manoeuvres behind his back to oust him from the union.

The newly-appointed adviser was known for his impulsive and quite often militant approach and never shied away from threatening industrial action. Asked whether he believed Mr Pace to be a divisive character who could cause friction among nurses, Mr Fearne said Mr Pace was someone who always worked for what he believed were the best interests of his union.

“We have always respected trade unions and we believe Mr Pace has a contribution to make.”

Mr Pace, he continued, had always been an employee of the Health Department. But apart from being an employee and a nurse, he also had vast experience in industrial relations, as he had spent nine years as MUMN president. He is also a member of the International Council of Nurses and he therefore had extensive contacts with nurses’ organisations and unions abroad, Mr Fearne argued.

Mr Pace can offer his services as an adviser to make contact with foreign organisations to bring nurses here

“The Health Department is going through a very exciting time, where we are increasing opportunities and expanding a lot of our services – both the services themselves and in terms of infrastructure. This means we will need to employ more nurses in the upcoming months and years.

“We believe that Mr Pace can be of service to Maltese patients by offering his services as adviser so that we can make contact with foreign nurses’ organisations to bring more nurses to Malta.”

Asked about the remuneration package offered to Mr Pace, Mr Fearne said that it was comparable to that of the other advisers within the Health Department and had been discussed between the permanent secretary and the individual.