MUMN accuses former oncology chief of ‘insulting health professionals in Gozo’

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) has welcomed government's decision to finally provide cancer patients in Gozo with chemotherapy services and expressed its hopes that nothing would hinder this service.

This, despite professional advice from the former head of the oncology department who was against such a development.

So far, patients residing in Gozo had to travel all the way to Malta receive their chemotherapy treatment placing the patient under further stress.

In a statement, MUMN president Paul Pace said that such a service in Gozo has come "as a blessing to the patients".

"When decisions are taken for the good of the patients, MUMN will be shoulder to shoulder with government, irrespective of which political party is in power," Pace said.

"We appeal government to remain focused and guarantee that such service will always be available at the Gozo General Hospital. This progress shouldn't be setback by any resignations."

Pace was referring to the resignation of the former head of the oncology department at Mater Dei Hospital, Profs Stephen Brincat. Brincat resigned following several clashes with the government.

Laying down his reasons, Brincat said he disagreed with government's decision to keep the National Cancer Plan "a secret from the professionals" and with moving oncology to Zammit Clapp hospital when he always had insisted for Mater Dei.

Brincat also expressed his opposition at having chemotherapy services provided at the Gozo General Hospital. This, he said, was because patients would end up receiving a poorer quality service due to a lack of trained and experienced staff.

But for MUMN, this was simply "an insult" to their profession.

"Both nurses and doctors in Gozo are capable of training and obtaining the necessary experience. Everyone needs training and experience, so why didn't the oncology department did not advise such training for the professionals in Gozo?" Pace said.

Pace said MUMN had spent the past three years trying to convince government that the advice being given by Brincat and his department was wrong.

"The oncology department had failed to realise that the hospital in Gozo was equipped with better facilities than Boffa hospital and that nurses and doctors in Gozo were able to provide a good service equal to that in Malta," he said.  

Pace went on to praise the Health Ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister for going against Brincat's advice and provide chemotherapy services in Gozo as well.