Doctors have described Mater Dei Hospital’s accident and emergency department as a “disaster” that has exceeded its breaking point. A doctor working in the emergency department told Times of Malta that the team is “always understaffed” and under immense daily pressure. “It’s an absolute disaster,” the doctor said, highlighting the dire situation. Patients are often left waiting on beds in the corridors as the department struggles with overcrowding and limited resources. Meanwhile, the doctors’ union remains at odds with the government over what it claims is a lack of consultation regarding the outsourcing of emergency services to private hospitals. The Health Ministry recently announced a partnership with three private hospitals to outsource emergency services. (Times of Malta)
PM moving goalposts to deflect attention from crises – Grech
Prime Minister Robert Abela is “moving the goalposts” to deflect attention from Malta’s growing crises, Opposition leader Bernard Grech said on Sunday. Reacting to the government’s proposal to reform magisterial inquiries, Grech called it the Prime Minister’s “greatest admission” that his administration is plagued by abuse. He argued that the move shows a government prioritising its own survival over the well-being of the Maltese people. Speaking during an interview on NET TV, Grech claimed that Abela’s leadership is under increasing pressure. He criticised the government for leaving key legislation unaddressed for months while managing to draft a Bill serving its interests in just four days.
Government hoping for MCAST agreement this month
Discussions between the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) and the government regarding a new collective agreement for MCAST lecturers have made progress, with the union expressing hope for a resolution by the end of January. Negotiations over the agreement have been ongoing for years, with the previous agreement expiring three years ago. The prolonged talks led the union to implement several directives in protest over the delays. The impasse also sparked protests from both staff and students, with tensions escalating toward the end of last year as negotiations came to a standstill amid disagreements between the union and the government. (The Malta Independent)
