Government should address hospital shortcomings - Adrian Delia
Shadow Minister for Health Adrian Delia said that the government wants to give the impression that everything is fine at Mater Dei Hospital, when in fact two inquiries had exposed shortcomings that need to be addressed.People now dread even more havi
Shadow Minister for Health Adrian Delia said that the government wants to give the impression that everything is fine at Mater Dei Hospital, when in fact two inquiries had exposed shortcomings that need to be addressed.
People now dread even more having to need Mater Dei hospital services, he said when addressing the media to speak about the outcome of magisterial and ministerial inquiries into the death of Stephen Mangion. Neither of the inquiries found that any individual was responsible for Mangion's death at the hospital's emergency department.
Delia said that for the government it appeared that everything was in order at the hospital, when in actual fact it was not.
He pointed out that in 2024, despite the advances of AI, the healthcare system was still based on a "manual system". He added that a pilot project in the oncology department 2 or 3 years ago working towards a standardized documentation system hasn't been heard of since.
Delia noted that it was found that all primary healthcare centres have an ECG machine, however it is only available by appointment and is otherwise under lock and key. He also made note of the recommendation that all high-risk patients are seen to by a "decision-maker" at initial contact, one who is responsible of administering medication, and pointed out that this lack may lead to serious problems. If not addressed then the Maltese would not be provided with the best healthcare.
Delia emphasized the problem of staff-shortage, with the emergency staff complaining about their poor work conditions and growing problem of burnout on top of their already inherently stressful work. He added no effort is being done to attract professionals to the emergency department or even to retain them, which may lead to a point that the growing population is seen to by even fewer staff, adding to their burden and making the problem worse.
Delia also highlighted the problem of patients sent to wards from the emergency department who are left essentially "waiting in a queue for a bed" and said that though he told the minister about this problem during a debate, it was brushed off.
Delia said that whilst Mangion's death was not caused by any negligence, it reflects problems in the Maltese healthcare system which can have great consequences. He said that the minister only quoted the 'good' points of the report in a statement he issued last week, whilst the people are left wondering if there really is a problem, and if so, what will be done about it.
Delia said that it appears that the minister's only interest is to deflect criticism and argue that the criticism is out of order. He said that under PN leadership, whilst there is "no short answer" to what they will improve or change, unlike the government which is promising that Gozo General Hospital will be refurbished within three legislatures "from today" the PN will work efficiently to give the people what they need.
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