MUMN: Nurses Left Behind in Health Sector Progression

MUMN’s Frustration: Nurses Left Behind in Allied Health Progression

In the heart of Malta’s capital, at the bustling St. Vincent de Paul Street, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) headquarters buzzed with an unusual energy last week. The usual hum of administrative tasks was replaced by hushed discussions and the occasional raised voice. The reason? The latest government decision on career progression that, according to MUMN, has left nurses feeling undervalued and overlooked.

Allied Health Workers: A Step Ahead

The Ministry of Health has recently approved career progression for allied health workers, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and radiographers. This means they can now apply for higher grades and salaries, a move that MUMN welcomes. However, the union’s joy is tempered by the fact that nurses, the backbone of the health sector, have been left out of this progression.

MUMN President, Paul Pace, expressed his frustration, “We’re delighted for our allied health colleagues, but we can’t ignore the fact that nurses, who work tirelessly on the frontlines, are still waiting for their own career progression.”

Nurses: The Unsung Heroes

Malta’s nurses have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, working long hours in challenging conditions. Their dedication has been praised by the public and the government alike. Yet, when it comes to career progression, they find themselves stuck in a system that, according to MUMN, doesn’t value their hard work and expertise.

MUMN General Secretary, Carmen Sciberras, explained, “Nurses have been asking for career progression for years. We’ve seen our colleagues in other professions move up the ladder, but we’re still waiting. It’s disheartening, to say the least.”

Sciberras added, “We’re not against our allied health colleagues progressing. We want the same for nurses. We just want fairness and recognition for the vital role we play in Malta’s health sector.”

: The Fight Continues

MUMN has been in discussions with the Ministry of Health, pushing for nurses to be included in the career progression scheme. They’re also planning to engage with the public, highlighting the importance of nurses in Malta’s health system and the need for their progression.

Pace concluded, “We won’t stop fighting until our nurses get the recognition and progression they deserve. They’ve earned it, and Malta needs it.”