Mater Dei's plan to reduce emergency waiting time
Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
The Mater Dei Hospital plan includes an expansion of bed capacity, efforts to reduce waiting times at the emergency department, and the relocation of certain services. Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela assured that some measures will be put into effect in the upcoming weeks, while others will be realized in the following years. The hospital is facing challenges due to high demand and limited resources.
One of the imminent measures is the introduction of a telemedicine hotline in the "coming weeks" to alleviate pressure on the emergency department. Patients can dial the number 1400 before heading to Mater Dei hospital. Upon assessing the patient's symptoms and medical history, a doctor will recommend the most suitable treatment location.
This initiative aims to redirect some patients to local health centers instead of overcrowding Mater Dei's emergency department. Minister Abela emphasized that individuals with severe injuries should directly seek assistance at Mater Dei rather than calling the hotline.
The government intends to launch an awareness campaign to promote the telemedicine hotline. Additionally, plans are in place to reduce emergency room waiting times by transferring less urgent cases to private hospitals. Furthermore, regulations mandating third country nationals to possess private health insurance during their first year in Malta will be strictly enforced. Consequently, non-EU workers will not have access to free healthcare for the initial 12 months of residency.
In the long run, Mater Dei's emergency department will undergo expansion both vertically and horizontally. Upon completion, the department will feature 70 cubicles, a significant increase from the current 30. Minister Abela estimated that the emergency department project will cost the government over €17 million and cater to Malta's healthcare requirements for the next two decades.
Abela's vision includes augmenting Mater Dei's bed capacity by 600 and enhancing the number of operating theaters. Presently, the hospital accommodates approximately 1,200 beds. Moreover, a considerable portion of the hospital's administrative staff will be relocated to offices situated outside the MDH premises.
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