Effects of MUMN industrial action felt across the island; ball lies in finance ministry’s court

The effects of the industrial action taken by nurses and midwives in hospitals and clinics across the country have been felt.

Contacted by The Malta Independent, Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) secretary general Colin Galea yesterday said that the directives issued by the union had been followed by midwives and nurses around the country, including those assigned to Mater Dei Hospital’s operating theatres, which did not open before 10.30am. Meanwhile, certain clinics around the island did not open at all.

He told this newsroom that it was now up to the Ministry for Finance to resolve remaining issues, but added that the union had not been contacted by any ministry subsequent to the directives coming into force yesterday morning.

When asked by this newsroom, however, Minister for Health Chris Fearne said that the government and the union were trying to find a way forward, and that while the “talks are not easy, we are making progress.” He also said that “patient safety remains a priority.”

Questions sent by this newsroom to the finance ministry remained unanswered at the time of writing.

The strike comes amid what the union has described as a lack of sensitivity on the government’s part towards the situation that nurses and midwives around the country find themselves in.

The directives are comprehensive and far-reaching, and include measures relating to washing patients, answering their calls and transferring them for elective surgery, except for mothers scheduled to undergo a caesarean section.

The union was also prompted by the government’s refusal to pay heed to a number of its demands, specifically those concerning an early retirement scheme, nursing premiums and certain salaries.

The health sector is currently facing a major nursing shortage, according to the union, specifically at Mount Carmel Hospital, along with the ITU and operating theatres at Mater Dei, where several operations are being cancelled.

Last February and October, MUMN industrial action took place over the conditions of work at St Vincent De Paul Hospital, while the Medical Association of Malta also called a strike last February over the transfer of St Luke’s Hospital, Karen Grech Hospital, and Gozo General Hospital to Steward Healthcare from Vitals Global Healthcare.