MUMN says Gozo ministry 'bribing' nurses for ECG diagnosis

The MUMN said that heart diagnosis taken at the Emergency Department in Gozo General Hospital is being taken by some nurses who have had no proper training on this regard since ECG recording does not fall part of the nurse’s duties.

In its statement, the MUMN stressed that it had reported the issue to the Principal Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, explaining that nurses are being offered extra vacation leave by the Ministry of Gozo as a bribe in time off in lieu so such nurses do not abide to the scope of practice regulated by the Council for Nurses and Midwives.

MUMN said that ECG is an important test which can diagnose Heart Attacks and should be taken by ECG technicians who have had a three year period training leading to a diploma.

“Unfortunately the Ministry of Gozo have a lack of ECG technicians and therefore offered one hour as time of in lieu per ECG recording to nurses at the detriment of the safe practice of the Gozitan patients,” MUMN said.

“Patients who need ECG recording in a medical and surgical emergency have a right that such important test be taken by the proper competent professionals. It is a pity that Gozo citizens are being treated as third class citizens in their own mainland at Gozo General Hospital since in Mater Dei Hospital all ECGs are taken by ECG competent technicians,” the union added.

MUMN said that although it reported such bad practices to the Principal Permanent Secretary, no action was taken to stop such bad practices.