Directives lifted: Steward Health Care, MUMN reach agreement on legal expenses
Directives at Steward Health Care hospitals have been lifted after the hospital management reached an agreement with the nurses’ union.
In a statement, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN), said it had reached an agreement regarding the liability incurred on the nursing profession in respect of supervision ordered by Allied Health Professionals.
Steward has agreed to cover all legal expenses for nurses (both criminal and civil) who are involved in litigation due to incidents occurring during supervision recommended by the Allied Health Care professionals and physicians, whether the nurse is found guilty or not, it said.
“Steward will also be offering the services of its legal team and is ready to pay all expenses including court fines for all nurses whether found guilty or not,” the union said.
Incidents which are a result of misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the nurse will not be covered by Steward Health Care.
Additional carers will also be added in all rehabilitation wards as to improve the service at KGH.
While Steward Health Care will be providing the necessary liability coverage for nurses in KGH and GGH, the Health Division was not willing to offer the same liability coverage, it added.
“MUMN is utterly disappointed that, while in various meetings, both the Health Division and Steward recognized the huge liability on the nurses due to the Allied Health Supervision
Forms, the Health Division has been reluctant to take any measures to remove the liability and financial burden on the nurses.”
In respect of this agreement, MUMN is lifting all directives regarding liability both in KGH and in GGH but will retain all other directives in the Government Hospitals.
In its own statement, Steward said that, through this agreement, Steward Malta is committing to cover legal expenses for nurses who are involved in litigation, due to incidents occurring during supervision, as recommended by allied health professionals and physicians.
Steward Malta President Nadine Delicata said the agreement is a significant win for patients and health care front liners.
“Our focus is always that of delivering the highest quality care possible and of safeguarding the interests of our patients and our workforce. We feel that by providing legal cover for our staff, they will feel further empowered and protected when conducting duties within our hospitals and are happy that these directives can be lifted once and for all.”
The company said it, “looks forward to a continued engagement with unions and all other stakeholders which will see the full delivery of Steward’s obligations to the government and citizens of Malta as outlined in the concession agreement, including breaking ground on the new hospitals in Malta and Gozo this year and more importantly Steward’s unwavering commitment to the wider health care community.”