The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) has appealed to the President not to endorse the law on Cannabis until safe practice measures for the patients and elderly residents are in place.

In a statement on Friday, the MUMN noted that in the Law on Cannabis there is no provision for patient safety in a hospital and elderly residences. It added that, ”any nurse, doctor, or even a carer under the influence of Cannabis may be nursing patients.

The union argued that ”such professionals may have impaired mental judgement and the management of any hospital would not be in a position to take the necessary action to stop such hospital employee since there is no provision within the law concerning a sensitive sector such as the Health Sector.”

MUMN went on to say that it believes that ”whatever the rights of the individual to smoke cannabis are, even if at home, this should never be at the detriment on the vulnerable patients.”

It also stated that ”any hospital management should always have the right to take blood and urine levels to test for cannabis and drugs including alcohol. Disciplinary action should be taken when such substances are found in abnormal levels.”

”Patient safety should not be jeopardised by any legal jargon and the members of parliament must be made aware of the consequences,” the MUMN said. ”A simple small slip-up that can easily occur under the influence of cannabis could result in the administration of wrong medication.”

The union pointed out that cannabis levels are not as straightforward as the alcohol blood levels of intoxication. ”Therefore, any hospital management should have the right to stop any hospital employee, especially those with direct patient contact, if any mental impairment is visible, irrespective of the law legalising cannabis.”

It stressed that ”the law has to protect the patient at all times and having legislation on Cannabis with no special proviso for the hospitals and elderly residences would be a great disrespect. This would also result in great irresponsibility towards the patients who have trusted their lives in the hands of health professionals.”

MUMN said that through FOR.U.M, it will will be also discussing this issue to request an urgent meeting at MCESD level on the Cannabis Legislation which legislation is being passed through parliament.

Therefore, MUMN said it is appealing to the President of Malta, ”being a medical doctor by profession, not to sign the Bill. This Bill should not legalise cannabis use unless there is a special proviso for hospitals and elderly residences.”

It concluded by saying that ‘the President of Malta should safeguard the interest of the patients and elderly residents, from any healthcare workers who abuse from the use of cannabis.”

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