A shortage of nursing officers in state hospitals risks being of detriment to patients, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) claimed yesterday.

The union said Finance Minister Tonio Fenech had failed to approve the 175 vacancies of nursing officers and deputy nursing officers, leaving wards without a head and the necessary staff complement.

The MUMN also asked why some 50 applicants had not been employed as casual nurses, despite having been granted a licence to work a fortnight ago.

"The union cannot understand why 50 nurses are unemployed when there is a nursing shortage crisis across hospitals," union general secretary Colin Galea said.

The union was promised a call for applications for staff nurses in March.

"There are unemployed nurses waiting to apply but it seems the Finance Minister is not sensitive to the shortage."

Additionally, the union said, Mr Fenech has not approved the appointment of a second departmental nursing manager for the Gozo Hospital, resulting in lack of motivation among nurses.

The union is threatening industrial action in state hospitals unless the government tackles the shortage of nursing officers.