The allocation of doctors at the Mater Dei Emergency Department had never been ideal but was now going from bad to worse, the Għaqda Maltija tat-Tobba għall-Emererġenzi said.

It said in a statement that it had now become a habit to sent to this department newly graduated doctors before these were even given their registration license.

This was illegal in all western states, possibly even in Malta. Moreover, it was worrying that young doctors without the necessary training and experience were thus exposed. These doctors were all proud of their profession and did their best to serve patients in the most effective and efficient manner but, understandably, took longer on the job because they lacked the necessary experience.

Another factor which increased stress on doctors and hardship on patients was the lack of beds for new patients at the department.

In spite of efforts to mitigate the problem, patients were having to wait long hours on a stretcher until a bed for them was found.

This was worrying not just for the patients and their families but also for department personnel who had to work in an environment which was full of people and unprofessional. It could also have repercussions on health and safety.

Such conditions were not ideal for patients and doctors. They led to stress and unnecessary risks for those concerned. They burdened doctors and made it harder to keep in Malta doctors who would have been trained at a huge cost, the organisation insisted

It urged the authorities to urgently address these issues.