Nurse!

I have just seen a report on TVM on a press conference held by the Union representing nurses. I must admit that the quoted figures are shocking. It is unacceptable in today's age that our hospitals are not served with enough nurses. It is all the more unacceptable when in the past year alone the Government revenue last year increased by €146.1 million! It is unacceptable to have this situation when we have thrown so much money at Mater Dei Hospital to make it state of the art. Patient care has to start with the nurses. To have such a lack of nurses (at least 200 at Mater Dei) is nothing but sheer mismanagement and incompetence on the individuals in the Government who handled the Mater Dei business over the past years.

We are paying for this incompetence. It is true that technologically speaking the hospital is almost avant garde BUT not to have enough nurses is more than just unacceptable. Where were the powers that be ten years ago when the whole thing was being planned. Or for that matter where were they two years ago. I find it hard to believe that there is effectively no plan as to how to increase the number of nurses at Hospital. Again mismanagement of our financial and human resources.

Act now and act decisively please - that is what is expected of you Mr. Government!