Modern Model of Healthcare In Malta
As with other modern health systems, Malta has experienced significant changes in its health care landscape over the past two decades. Major changes have occurred, in the country itself and in its health care system, impacting both the provision and consumption of healthcare. The accession of Malta to the European Union has shaped Malta’s health system by catalysing change, standardizing certain processes and bringing new legislation. Investments in the infrastructure and health workforce together with innovative management policies and techniques have enhanced the delivery of healthcare to patients. The digitalisation of healthcare has also had a major boost in the past two decades, revolutionising healthcare provision while narrowing the gap between the patient and the healthcare provider. Various strategies and policies have been published and implemented to enhance the delivery of clinical services with the aim of reducing the disease burden of the Maltese population, from diseases such as cancer and diabetes. This article traces these main developments in a descriptive and analytical manner and provides a number of insights for the future.
Human Resource Development
The workforce continues to be the cornerstone of any health service and Malta is no exception. There have been remarkable developments in the configuration of the workforce both in numbers, complexity and diversity. The number of professionals working in the public health service has increased by 67%, from 2,966 to 4,942, between 2009 and 2017. The highest increase was registered in the number of pharmacists, which has more than doubled in this period, and in the number of doctors which increased by 88%. The number of allied health professionals, working with the public sector, increased by 26% between 2016 and 2018[1]. These changes were undoubtedly spurred by a combination of technological advancements, new service needs and the modernisation of the workforce through training, specialisation and the implementation of several significant collective agreements with unions
Mental health care
A mental health clinic was set up within the then new and modern Qormi Health Centre, as a pilot project, to test out the feasibility and viability for widespread community service development. In keeping with the vision espoused in the policy document, family doctors practising in the area were trained in the management of common psychiatric problems within the community through a Postgraduate Certificate Course in Basic Clinical Psychiatry[7]. A day centre at qormi followed the mental health clinic.