The MUMN Nurses' Union said today that the new Oncology Centre should enjoy the same level of autonomy as currently enjoyed by Boffa Hospital, and should not be embroiled in Mater Dei Hospital's problems.
The Oncology Centre, being built on the grounds of Mater Dei, is due to receive its first patients at the end of the year, taking over from Boffa Hospital.
The MUMN said the new centre should not suffer the same bed and staff shortages which have plagued Mater Dei Hospital. Nor should it be dependant or controlled by any CEO or board of directors from Mater Dei Hospital from a human resources, financial or clinical perspective.
It said Boffa hospital was running smoothly and it therefore could not understand the decision to engulf it within Mater Dei Hospital.
The union regretted that Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia was evasive on this issue and did not respond to the union's concerns.
It said the health minister was not a minister who listened but a minister of confrontation.
The union said it is organising a petition to be signed by all employees in Boffa hospital, showing that the current minister is moving in the wrong direction.
It also invited the prime minister to meet the staff of Boffa Hospital to hear their concerns.