One ambulance crashed into a central strip and kept driving to Mater Dei Hospital on a deflated tyre while another broke down on the way to an emergency in Gudja on Wednesday, causing a patient to wait an hour-and-a-half on the ground for another to be sent.
In a statement yesterday announcing directives to all nurses working at the Accident and Emergency Department to refuse to make use of any defective or unrepaired ambulances, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses explained what happened on the feast of Santa Marija.
It said the ambulance fleet being used by Mater Dei Hospital and the Mosta Health Centre is becoming more dependent on ambulances hired from private contractors. The MUMN in one of its previous press releases pointed out that such ambulances are being driven by untrained and inexperienced drivers and the ambulances are also not well-maintained.
Its concerns following the accident in Gudja on Wednesday, during which two people suffered serious injuries while a third needed to be hospitalised by ambulance, were proved right, the MUMN said.
One hired ambulance sent from Mater Dei Hospital crashed into a central strip and the wheel and the tyre were heavily damaged on impact. The inexperienced driver behind its wheel kept driving on the rim all the way to MDH since the tyre was completely ruined by the impact, it said. Afterwards, the contractor wanted to return the ambulance back into service after a change of tyre without any roadworthiness check to verify that no further damage was done, it continued.
“For the contractor, a simple change of tyre and the rim were sufficient to ensure roadworthiness, something the union deems unacceptable,” it pointed out.
Moreover, in the same accident since more than one casualty was involved and a number of ambulances were required, another ambulance arrived on scene one hour and 30 minutes after being requested. This happened because while the hired ambulance was dispatched immediately from Mater Dei Hospital, a fault developed en route and this ambulance had to be replaced by another one from the ambulance garage.
“This is surely an amateur way of managing such an essential service provision and the Health Division is jeopardising nurses’ and patients’ lives,” the union said.
Such incidents show that the MUMN’s complaints and the nurse’s official reports are indeed justified and need to be heeded to immediately avoid further similar incidents.
Moreover, these incidents happened with ambulances on which reports had previously been filed and which had supposedly been repaired.
They also show that the Health Ministry’s press releases regarding the ambulance fleet are a “smokescreen” for the current state of affairs.
The MUMN said it was also informed that such inexperienced drivers hired by the contractor for such ambulances are found through an advert on Facebook, requesting no experience or qualifications but simply a driving licence. Finding drivers from Facebook to be put behind the wheel of a fast-moving vehicle such as an ambulance is not a laughing matter but proof of the lack of importance of health and safety within the service, it continued. Understandably, when it comes to the health and safety of the nurses and the patients, the MUMN does not compromise.
MUMN’s several requests to have urgent meetings with the Health Minister and the Health Division regarding the insurance provision for nurses working on such fast-moving emergency vehicles were also always turned down. MUMN is requesting insurance documents with compensations agreed with MUMN, to be provided to the nurses in case of grievous bodily harm or even death. Instead, the ministry spokesman issued a press statement in the Times of Malta on 12 August suggesting that “the government was a source of insurance itself. If any third parties sustained damages because of ambulance drivers, then the government would have to foot the bill”.
However for the union, this is still not acceptable and the issue needs to be addressed immediately.
While the MUMN is insisting that all nurses including midwives who provide a service on ambulances, are to be covered by an insurance policy similar to helicopter insurance, it has issued further directives due to health and safety reasons, in order to safeguard the lives of the nurses and the patients.
Moreover, the MUMN is requesting that standards are set for the requirements of ambulance driver posts and that these are rigorously met by all drivers. The MUMN is still insisting on a meeting with the Ministry of Health on the insurance issue. If such meetings are not held, it may resort to further directives without any other further notice.
Furthermore, it noted that all ambulances (both hired and government ambulances) are not meeting European standards EN 1789:2007+A1:2010 (E) of April 2010.
The prospect of having part of a new ambulance fleet in service possibly by December is not acceptable.
“Such a period is too long in light of the current state of affairs,” the MUMN said.
UHM issues directive
In a statement, the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin (UĦM) said that it has directed ambulance porters not to assist ambulance drivers who do not have the necessary training given by the health department.
The union said that it has been insisting on the engagement of 10 new ambulance drivers, instead of those who have retired, for the last two years. The UĦM further noted that the Health Division has instead engaged the services of a private contractor, which is proving to be a more expensive choice.
CPD director calls for caution
Contacted regarding accidents that occur from time to time in crowds and during village feasts, CPD director Patrick Murgo called for caution when using small fireworks or invented equipment in crowds.
He pointed out that accidents often occur with squibs (suffarelli) or other small fireworks and although small, these may still cause fire. When using them, it is important for people to keep away from materials that might burn and from crowds.
“An accident in a crowd will always have a multiplier effect and a number of people can easily get hurt,” he said.
The same is to be said for any sort of small fireworks, some of which can be easily purchased, including Chinese lanterns and flaming lanterns (fjakkli).
He also highlighted that incidents often happen because glass bottles are discarded on the streets and people trip on them. These can easily be avoided with a little attention.
Furthermore, he emphasised that during feast activities and the midday band marches, supporters often invent things and props to show their enthusiasm. When trying out new things, or self-made equipment, it is important for organisers to keep in mind the repercussions these may have on the people using them and on the crowd.
