There will be several changes starting next week as a result of Vitals Global Healthcare’s partnership with Medical Centre O&P, the contracting provider for Walter Reed Military Hospital in the USA.

VGH said that currently the service is provided by a single local orthotics and prosthetics specialist together with a group of technicians and Allied Health professionals and is supported through a contracted third party, which provides artificial limbs.

Mainly given at 6-week intervals, the current service created a significant problem for certain patients requiring, for example, new artificial limbs in between sessions, VGH said.

Starting the 22nd of August, it will become a regular weekly service, with a team of professionals seeing patients from Monday to Saturday.

VGH said that “the staff complement will increase, more of the fittings and limbs will be produced in Malta in a shorter period working to decrease waiting times and enabling a much more effective service.”

“Works on a new OPU premises are also ongoing and are set to be completed by the second week of September. The new facility, located to the right of the St Luke’s car park, will give staff members and patients a much better place to work and receive care, and contrast greatly to the current environment being used,” said VGH.

It added that “once the physical migration to the new facilities takes place, the team will then begin to assess all amputees in Malta and Gozo to discuss and revise a plan to suit patients’ individual needs, thus ensuring a smooth transition for patients with devices supplied from the currents supplier to that used by MCOP.”

VGH stated that “devices which are deemed to be below standard will be replaced with new devices at no added cost to the patient. To this end, new medical equipment has also been procured.”

Patients are advised to keep attending their appointments as normal until the 13th of September when the service will migrate to the new premises.

More information will be available on the VGH website and communicated directly to patients.

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