There are 213 more nurses now than there were in 2015, according to Health Minister Chris Fearne.

Replying to a parliamentary question posed by MP Godfrey Farrugia, he said that 574 nurses were recruited by the Health Department between 2015 and 2017, and that in that time, 361 had left the service.

Read: Operations to go ahead as nurses' strike called off

The shortage of nurses, particularly in operating theatres, led to threats of industrial action recently when the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses complained that at least 20 more were needed.

Nurses complained of severe burnout, saying that while the number of operations had increased to cut down on waiting lists, manpower had not been strengthened.

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