Widespread disruption is expected in state hospitals on Monday as the nurses’ union threatens to issue harsh directives that could bring the health system to a grinding halt.

The Times of Malta was informed that the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses will today be unveiling a series of directives to its members that come into force at 7am on Monday.

In line with the directives, which would affect all hospitals, health centres and homes for the elderly in Malta and Gozo, nurses and midwives will not wash patients, will not join in ward rounds and in the distribution of food and will refuse to assist in the transfer of patients - except in the case of those requiring intensive care.

They will not use computers or similar devices and the union will also tell members not to order any consumables or pharmaceuticals.

Nurses and midwives will not wash patients or join in ward rounds

The MUMN will is also be issuing specific instructions depending on the different wards. These include the main operating theatre, the accident and emergency department, the endoscopy unit and the outpatient’s department.

Nurses at the operating theatre will be told not to do any overtime or accept change of duties. They will not wear identification tags.

At the emergency department, staff will not administer plaster or perform any tracking of patients and will only be allowed to use computers to carry out triage.

Nurses at health centres will be instructed not to assist in suturing, plastering or bloodletting, among other things.

The union has been rattling the sabre for months, accusing the government of dragging its feet, refusing to submit its counterproposals for a new sectoral agreement.

The directives, the Times of Malta was told, would come into force if the union did not receive counterproposals by Sunday, together with a schedule of meetings leading to the signing of a new agreement by the end of the year and a written guarantee in the form of a legal notice on the implementation of what is known as the specialist framework.

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