A collaboration that has been initiated between the Government and three private hospitals for the outsourcing of emergency services, has been announced by he Ministry for Health and Active Ageing.

Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that through this collaboration between the Government and the private sector, patients with medical and surgical diagnoses will be served by private hospitals while the Government pays.

He stressed that this initiative will complement the services provided by Mater Dei Hospital and explained how patients with uncomplicated conditions will be provided with the necessary services, including operations, in the private sector. This is so that during the winter months, Mater Dei Hospital can focus on serious cases, even those associated with seasonal illnesses.

Minister Abela explained that this is the first phase of this agreement, with the direction of transfers being led by the Emergency Department, at Mater Dei Hospital. He said that later the second phase will come into effect, which will launch a new referral system for various emergency services in the country.

He went that on to explain that on the first day of this collaboration, two successful surgical interventions had already been carried out in one of these hospitals.

“This new system of collaboration between the Government and the private sector should increase the efficiency of emergency services while offering excellent care,” concluded Minister Abela.

Photo: DOI

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