Social Policy Minister John Dalli toured Mater Dei Hospital this morning and said that the government’s priorities are to reduce waiting lists and improve community care so as to ease the pressure off hospitals.

Mr Dalli was accompanied by Joe Cassar, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Mario Galea, parliamentary secretary for care of the elderly.

“We are not looking at temporary, stopgap solutions. The solution is providing more and better treatment and care within the community to alleviate the pressure on the hospital,” Mr Dalli said said.

Mr Dalli said the idea is to talk with all the parties involved in running the hospital, the administration and union employees to discuss the way forward.

“Starting from us politicians, to doctors, nurses and every employee, our main focus has to be the patient. We have to ensure patients who set foot in Mater Dei are provided the best possible service and treatment in the shortest time possible,” Mr Dalli said.

Asked if the present situation to continue providing free health care was sustainable, Mr Dalli said the government’s objective was clear; his job was to achieve this in a sustainable manner.

“When I do something I go in to improve; I don’t chew on what others have chewed, but try to find new ways,” he said.

“If we all organise ourselves properly we can reduce costs and become sustainable, but we need the cooperation of everyone.”