€120 Million Expansion For Mater Dei Emergency And Psychiatric Care

The Minister for Health and Active Ageing, Jo Etienne Abela, announced the start of a major construction project at Mater Dei Hospital aimed at expanding the Emergency Department and developing a new Acute Psychiatric Care facility.

The project will involve an investment of €120 million over three years. As part of the expansion, the number of emergency cubicles will increase from 35 to 70.

The upgraded facilities will also include multi-sensory rooms for patients with autism and additional rooms designed to offer greater privacy.

Minister Jo Etienne Abela explained that the project forms part of the Government’s wider efforts to improve patient care and reduce waiting times at Mater Dei Hospital’s Emergency Department.

He noted that the initiative builds on several measures introduced in recent months, including the opening of two new wards, the launch of the 1400 helpline, and the introduction of the First Senior Medical Contact and streaming service.

The Minister said the helpline received 35,000 calls within one year and helped prevent 15,000 admissions to the Emergency Department.

Other initiatives included the recruitment of medical consultants specialising in admissions and the development of a larger Surgical High Dependency Unit together with a new Medical High Dependency Unit.

The Minister also described the new Acute Psychiatric Unit as a significant advancement in mental healthcare. The facility, which will include 135 beds across specialised sections, is intended to integrate mental and physical healthcare while helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in Malta.

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Photo Source: DOI - Clifton Fenech