10 years ago - The Times
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Union tells Boffa nurses not to treat cancer patient
The nurses’ union has ordered its members at Boffa Hospital to deny treatment to a patient with advanced cancer whom it deems to be a “health hazard”.
Stephen Brincat, chairman of the hospital’s Oncology Department, has condemned the directive as “totally immoral and outrageous”.
“We have some excellent nurses and their work is appreciated, but I have never witnessed such a directive. It’s unheard of to act against a patient,” Prof. Brincat said when contacted.
“Since the directive is completely unethical, I expect the nurses not to obey it on the grounds of their conscience. The union is putting them in an impossible situation,” he said.
The directive also instructs “nursing staff to leave the ward, with the exception of just one member for CPR purposes only” when this patient enters the ward.
Paul Pace, the president of the Malta Union of Nurses and Midwives, defended the union’s stand saying that if the patient was “hazardous” then it was right to deny the patient treatment.
The whole issue revolves around an argument between a nurse and this patient on July 29. The nurse alleged he was verbally harassed while the patient claimed he was threatened, Mr Pace said.
25 years ago - The Times
Saturday, August 7, 1993
Measures to avoid fighting during band marches at Ħamrun
Band maches being held in Ħamrun today, as part of tomorrow’s celebrations for the feast of St Cajetan, have been shortened so as not to pass in front of rival band clubs.
Police and committee members of the band clubs of St Joseph and St Cajetan yesterday met with Assistant Police Commissioner Joe C. Gauci and decided to take this course of action after fighting broke out in Ħamrun on Thursday evening.
Both parties are expected to meet again this morning following an assessment of last night’s activities, to discuss if any measures need to be taken for tomorrow morning’s marathon marches.
On Thursday, fighting broke out when the St Joseph band, known as Tal-Miskina, approached the St Cajetan club, known as Tat-Tamal.
Rivalry between the supporters became intense, bottles were thrown and some people came to blows. No one was injured.
The fighting was condemned by parish priest Fr Paul Camilleri who said he would not tolerate such behaviour during band marched held as part of the feast’s activities.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Wednesday, August 7, 1968
Opening of Lourdes Home in Gozo
Celebrations are being held to mark the official opening of Lourdes Home in Gozo, next Sunday.
The first event was on Sunday when the altar in the chapel was consecrated. Then followed concelebration by benefactors. Parties are being held this week for the children of the institute. Other children are invited.
Mrs O. E. Beaman, wife of the counsellor and deputy chief of Mission at the US Embassy, yesterday afternoon inaugurated the Kennedy Playing Field at Lourdes Home.
Maltese-Americans from New York on holiday
A group of 360 Maltese-Americans, many of them members of the Sons of Malta Club of New York, are on a month’s visit to the island. They arrived on two chartered flights organised by Michael Aquilina, a former vice president of the club.
Various activities have been organised for them. There will be a dance at the Hotel Phoenicia on August 17 for members and friends. Present will be Miss Toronto, Maltese-born Margaret Tonna.