The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses said today that nurses are being offered extra vacation leave by the Ministry of Gozo 'as a bribe' to conduct ECG recordings at the Emergency Department in Gozo General Hospital, despite a lack of proper training.

It said the matter had been reported to the Principal Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister but no action had been taken to stop the practice.

"The ECG is an important test which can diagnose heart attacks and should be taken by ECG technicians who have had a three year period training leading to a diploma. Unfortunately the Ministry of Gozo has a lack of ECG technicians and (it) therefore offered one hour as time of in lieu per ECG recording to nurses at the detriment of the safe practice of the Gozitan patients," the union claimed.

"Patients who need ECG recording in a medical and surgical emergency have a right that such important test be taken by the proper competent professionals," it insisted.

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