Ten healthcare professions are following directives issued by the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin that are disrupting patient appointments and hitting treatment.

Speech language pathologists, podiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dental hygienists, dental technologists, audiologists, radiographers, medical laboratory scientists and optometrists are taking industrial action after the union crossed swords with the Health Ministry.

Patients such as Diane Depasquale’s 10-year-old daughter is one of those affected by the action, which has set back her therapy. The girl, who suffers from the brain condition Dandy-Walker Syndrome, undergoes occupational therapy sessions at the Child Development Assessment Unit (CDAU) but these have been cancelled and no alternate date has been given.

“I have just been told that her appointment was cancelled but I was not given an alternative date. Granted, my daughter is not an urgent case. She has a session once every three weeks but now she will end up going without any therapy for over a month,” Ms Depasquale said.

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