The Malta Union of Nurses this evening accused the Ministry of Finance of holding back the appointment of nurses despite a well known shortage of staff in all state hospitals. It warned that unless action was taken by next week, it would take whatever action was necessary, according to law.

The union said it could not understand how 50 nurses had not yet been engaged as casual nurses despite having been granted their licence two weeks ago.

It said the Finance Ministry was also holding up the appointment of Nursing Officers and Deputy Nursing Officers who ran the various wards.

Furthermore, a call for the engagement of staff nurses, promised in March, had still not been made, even though a number of former nurses had indicated they were prepared to return to work once such a call was made.

The Finance Ministry had also not yet approved the appointment of a second manager at Gozo General Hospital, despite the agreement manpower plan.

The union said the situation could not be tolerated any longer and unless action was taken by next week it would take action according to law, including legal action.