MUMN issues directive as Gozo hospital remains understaffed

A long-standing staff shortage at Gozo General Hospital has caused the Malta Union for Nurses and Midwives to issue industrial directives for its members. 

An acute shortage of staff over the past 18 months is caused in part by carers being assigned other duties without being replaced, forcing nurses to take up extra duties in order to give patients adequate service.

In a press statement, the MUMN said that about 20 additional staff are required to meet the needs of the elderly patients within Ward St Anna.

After a year of correspondence, the MUMN extended the 10 October deadline for action by five days.

"MUMN extended this deadline to the 15 October so as to give ample chance for the Health Division to solve this situation but unfortunately this was not materialised although the Ministry for Gozo allocated funds to the Health Division to employ these carers," the statement reads. "MUMN has now no other option but to issue the industrial directives with immediate effect."

MUMN has directed all nurses in Gozo General hospita,l including the nurses working in St. Anna Ward, to stop doing the work of the resassigned carers and concentrate only on their responsibilities.