Nurses are expected to take action on Monday after government counterproposals for a new agreement were deemed as being “not enough”, this newspaper has learnt.

Healthcare sources told the Times of Malta yesterday that the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses had an urgent meeting with the government when the counterproposals were submitted. However, these did not adequately address pressing issues and the union decided to go ahead with plans to issue harsh directives that come into effect on Monday morning.

The union had made it clear to the government it would be willing to resume talks today

Times of Malta reported yesterday that widespread disruption is expected in state hospitals  as a result of the directives that could bring the health sector to a grinding halt.

As a result of the directives, which come into effect at 7am on Monday and which would impact all hospitals, health centres and homes for the elderly in Malta and Gozo, nurses and midwives will not be washing patients and not joining in ward rounds and in the distribution of food, among other things.

They will refuse to assist in the transfer of patients, except in the case of those requiring intensive care, and will not use computers or any similar devices.

The sources told this newspaper the union had made it clear to the government it would be willing to resume talks today and tomorrow but unless the counterproposals were improved, the directives would be issued.

Questions sent to the Health Ministry were unanswered at the time of writing.