Source: The Malta Independent, 29^th August 2017

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has requested the intervention of the home affairs Ministry so that nurses carrying out their duties outside of hospital will be protected from harm.

It described a “shocking” case where yesterday, 28 August, when a nurse from the emergency department was abused while assisting two patients, an Italian man and an African girl in Marsa.

A traffic accident took place which is why an ambulance as called to the scene. According to the press release, the police were informed of the incident however had not arrived by the time the ambulance arrived. A second call was made by the ambulance for the police to provide assistance however they did not arrive until 40 minutes after the second call.

Police confirmed that they were going down and, in the meantime, a group of African men, many of who seemed inebriated, climbed onto the van and began using threatening and abusive language against the female nurse. They allegedly also threatened the Italian patient.

“The MUMN cannot accept this situation where nurses are being abused while carrying out their duties. The same situation is happening when nurses are sent to Paceville without any police protection.”

It is requesting that the home affairs and national security ministry step in and provide protection.