Following yesterday’s statement by Malta’s Medical Association that doctors will only perform emergency duties should their request for the withdrawal of permits for large events not be met, Malta’s nurses and midwives have come out in support of the dispute.

The Malta Union of Nurses and Midwives has warned of industrial action should mass events, including large-scale international festivals, not be cancelled by Monday.

Nurses across the Maltese Islands have been instructed not to perform several duties should this request not be met, including washing patients and accompanying them to X-rays and theatres; while physiotherapists will see no more than three patients per day. Other directives include the use of only four operating theatres for emergency purposes.

Meanwhile, pharmacists have also joined in their criticism of the authorities and large-scale event organisers, declaring an industrial dispute with directives set to be announced soon.