The first Healthcare Professionals Day was held yesterday at Mater Dei Hospital during which 15 trees were planted and awards handed out to staff who showed excellence at their place of work.
The trees planted represent different departments at the hospital and the event was the initiative of the Clinical and Social Support Services Advisory Group (CSSSAG).
The group is made up of audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, dental technologists, dental hygienists, social workers, perfusionists, orthoptists, dieticians, podologists, physiological measurement technicians, orthotics, prosthetics, medical laboratory scientists and radiographers.
The chairman of the group, audiologist Francis Saliba said the advisory group was set up two years ago on a proposal by Marion Rizzo, the CEO of Mater Dei Hospital. The main aim of the organisation is to advise the hospital executive committee on matters dealing with the management of the services it offered.
The group took active roles in several sub-committees set up by the hospital management including the sub-committee for bed management and others responsible for the running of the numerous out-patient departments.
Mr Saliba said that, apart from advising the hospital executive committee, the CSSSAG strove to make people aware of the essential services offered by the various healthcare providers.
It also encouraged the employees to take initiatives to introduce innovative ideas and improve the services offered to the patient. The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Joe Cassar thanked the hospital staff for their continued devotion and dependability, adding that, being a health professional himself, he understood the demands of the job which required the utmost care and attention when dealing with patients.
The Excellence at the Place of Work Awards was given to Natalie Buhagiar for her enthusiasm and exemplary role as the senior principal occupational therapist at the Child Development Advisory Unit. All the nominees received a certificate in recognition of their hard work.