A campaign to encourage young people to take up a career in nursing and midwifery was launched on Thursday afternoon as part of efforts to address staff shortages across the health system. 

Addressing a press conference, Health Minister Chris Fearne said that as more services are introduced, the need for more nurses and midwives would only increase with time. 

Over the past six years, Mr Fearne said, the government managed to recruit around 700 nurses, bringing the total from 2,900 in 2013 to 3,600 this year.

"In six years, we brought in 700 nurses. Because of what is already offered we  need at least 250 nurses and because of the expansion of these services, we need at least a further 150 nurses. Between today and two or three years’ time…we would need around 400 new nurses," Mr Fearne went on. 

This year, he added, some 190 students were expected to graduate and join the public health system. 

Also speaking at the press conference, Malta Union of Nurses and Midwives head Paul Pace described nurses as "the backbone of the health system". 

"What is happening, unfortunately, is that while  demand is growing, the population of nurses is going down. That means that expectations are growing.

"It is worrying that as a union we sometimes come off as trying to halt the system. It is not our intention but sometimes for change you need to take drastic measures," Mr Pace said.

The union chief insisted that the population growth and its impact on the health system had to also be kept in mind when making certain decisions.