Commonwealth Nurses Federation holds Conference in Malta

The 2nd European Region Conference of the Commonwealth Nurses Federation was held in Malta between the 27th and 29th March 1998. The Conference was organised by the Royal College of Nursing (U.K.) together with the Nursing Associations of Cyprus and Malta.

Ms Mary Borg President of the Nurses' Association of Malta, hosted the Conference, which was officially opened by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr Alfred Sant. The Hon. Minister of Health Dr Michael Farrugia also addressed the Conference. Dr John. M. Cachia a/Chief Government Medical Officer and the World Health Organisation European Regional Officer for Nursing and Midwifery, Ms Ainna Fawcett - Henesy were also present.

425 delegates from 15 countries, including Malta, attended the conference. Maltese nurses from all sectors and students from the Institute of Health Care of the University of Malta participated, chaired sessions and also presented related papers. Ms. Isabelle Avallone, Co-ordinator Nursing Services at the Institute of Health Care, was appointed as the official rapporteur of the Conference.

The plenary session on Saturday morning was addressed by the President of the International Council of Nurses and the Chief Nursing Officers of Cyprus, England and Malta. The Director Nursing Services, Ms Nicolina Farrugia addressed the Conference on behalf of Malta.

The Conference provided an opportunity for networking as well as sharing knowledge thereby increasing competency in the practice of nursing . The 3rd Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Nurses Federation will be held in Guernsey, Channel Islands, in March 2000.