Inadequate number of student nurses in mental health

There are just 27 student nurses in mental health, which, Mental Health Commissioner John Cachia warns, is inadequate to address staff shortage issues. Figures supplied to the Times of Malta by the University of Malta show that 27 students are reading for a bachelor’s degree in mental health nursing. Six more are reading for a master’s in mental health nursing and six for a general nursing master’s with a specific focus on mental health. Only a handful of students will graduate and enter the workforce every year, figures show. In 2017, there were 10 students who graduated as mental health nurses, and in the previous year, only three completed the three-year university course. Dr Cachia said the number of mental health student nurses needed to increase, pointing out the stigma surrounding the issue could be behind the low figures. It was common practice for general nurses to work in the mental health sector when they did not have the specific training required of those working with psychiatric patients, he added. Read: Real issues at Mount Carmel Hospital need to be addressed No effort should be spared with regard to ensuring patients’ welfare, Dr Cachia cautioned, especially...