Improving the care of older persons | Malcolm Paul Agius Galea

Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, Parliamentary Secretary Active Ageing

Malta, not unlike other European countries, is experiencing a rapidly ageing population. Projections made by the European Commission show that by 2030, 21% of the Maltese population will be older than 65 years of age, with this cohort increasing to 26% by the year 2050. As one grows older one tends to be prone to more health-related issues. It is no secret that the older persons make disproportionate use of the national health services. This means that as the population ages, the health services are going to be under increasing pressure.

Benjamin Franklin once said that “by failing to prepare, one is preparing to fail”. This is why, to continue offering a high level of care, whilst facing future challenges associated with an aging population, we need to tweak the model of care that we currently offer our older persons. This is where the concept of bedded intermediate care (IC) comes in. This is a win-win model of health care which aims to provide high level of care to older person, delivered by specialists in geriatric medicine, away from Mater Dei Hospital. A beneficial side effect of this approach is that it will alleviate some of the huge pressure on beds at Mater Dei Hospital.

This model is already being piloted at an IC unit located on the grounds of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) with very positive outcomes. The unit has been receiving patients suffering from common, older persons-related problems. These patients, who would have otherwise been admitted to MDH, receive high level dedicated care. It is worth noting that the very great majority of patients admitted to IC at SVP, have been successfully discharged back to their original destination.

The success of this pilot project meant that the IC unit at SVP has now expanded to a 40-bed unit spread over two wards, resulting in a more positive impact. It is planned that within the next few years Malta will see the addition of a brand new 300-bed intermediate care hospital at SVP. Undoubtedly, this IC hospital will have a very positive impact on the level of care that we can offer to older persons, whilst ensuring that MDH continues to function as an efficient acute care hospital.

We are facing the challenges ahead with optimism.