Fearne and nurses' union with contrasting claims about deal for phlebotomists

Health Minister Chris Fearne has urged phlebotomists to resume bloodletting duties at Mater Dei Hospital after months of union-ordered directives, saying the dispute has been solved. 

But when contacted by Times of Malta, Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) head Paul Pace denied this was the case, saying the government and the union had not had a meeting on the issue in months. 

Pace's claims contrast those by Fearne, who told Times of Malta earlier on Friday that he hoped the union would drop the directives as an agreement has been reached.

"Despite coming to an agreement recently, the MUMN has yet to stop the action. I always say that unions have a right to take action but this should not harm patients. Now that there are no pending issues, the action should stop as there is no need for this anymore," Fearne said. 

Phlebotomists are obeying directives issued by the MUMN in a dispute over a sectoral agreement. The previous agreement lapsed in January 2021 and directives were ordered later that year. 

Directives cause problems at Mater Dei

Phlebotomists, the healthcare professionals who draw patients' blood, have been ordered to limit the number of patients they see every...