Charles Camilleri, Paola
Finding new uses for St Luke's Hospital
Now that the dust has settled and Mater Dei Hospital is in full gear after a successful transfer from St Luke's Hospital and the initial teething troubles, the question often asked is what is to become of the St Luke's Hospital building?
How best can the government make use of it in the national interest? Everyone hopes that this structure will not be left to the mercy of vandals and thieves as has happened in the past with buildings left behind by the British Forces.
There is a lot that this building could be used for. One idea is to house government departments many of which are located in old buildings which surely do not meet modern requirements. For example, why not group all government revenue departments and transfer them there? The Inland Revenue Department needs to be moved from its present location as it is of great inconvenience to the public who have to move from one block to another irrespective of the weather conditions. The Social Services Department is hardly in the ideal place.
The building could also be taken over by the Education Department for use by Mcast, saving millions of euros and allowing the area at Corradino to be used to build another college.
I am sure there are more options. But the important thing is that the building is not left to become dilapidated. The government must make use of it without further delay.
12 Comments
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C. Mc Neil
Oct 23rd 2008, 15:42
I quite agree as to use it for Government Department offices, but the problem would be the parking space, even the present car park would be one fourth the amount of space needed for all the public to visit the various government departments. Therefore, because of the little space for parking, this idea is not good due to parking spaces, unless who ever takes it would be prepared to dig a six floor and even eight floors parking spaces.
J. Spiteri
Oct 22nd 2008, 20:44
Whatever use is made of St. Luke's Hospital, one must, first and foremost, consider the impact and certain inconvenience that will result to the local residents. This locality and its residents have endured enough inconveniences when SLH was in operation. Past mistakes should not be repeated.
C Camenzuli
Oct 22nd 2008, 18:29
I think its not as easy to use the building for something like the government offices as being proposed.
First of all there are some parts which are still being used namely child guidance unit, detox, parts of the medical school and of course Karin Grech and another part for physiotherapy.
Secondly many of the place in saint Luke's are still contaminated and will still be for some time with bacteria like MRSA which would render the place not fit for working unless rebuilt.
a medical museum sounds fine but!
Charles Camilleri
Oct 22nd 2008, 15:47
@ Frank Grixti. Do not try to be sarcastic. This Govt has its faults like everyone else but unless you have blear eyes you should acknowledge that this Govt has found Malta a dilapidated state and turn it into one comparable with other European counties. So missing something before the election is more than compensated by it performance during its term of office.
Mario Gauci
Oct 22nd 2008, 14:39
I think that at least part of SLH should be converted into a medical museum. The island has a rich history in medicine.
Frank Grixti
Oct 22nd 2008, 14:15
opt a)
SLH will be "tendered" to the highest bidder to be developed into a project for "the benefit of the population at large"... this will happen shortly
opt b)
It will be transformed into a family park/ old persons home/ school/' technology centre....this will be announced 6 months before the next election and never actually happen.
P.Schembri
Oct 22nd 2008, 13:41
The plans for St. Luke's once were to hold chronic cases there. The Mater Dei Hospital for acute cases. If the problem of overcrowding is to be solved, St. Luke's should be used as a medical hospital, and Mater Dei as a Surgical and short term stay hospital.
Manuel Mifsud
Oct 22nd 2008, 10:52
I fully concur with Mr. Camilleri's concerns that St. Luke's Hospital could become delapidated. However I cannot imagine how the huge wards could be turned into modern office rooms.
Perhaps the government could set people's mind at rest by informing the public what plans it has for the former hospital's site. I am sure there is more than one plan as the area is enormous and the government could even sell part of it to recoup a fraction of the expenditure incurred to build and maintain Mater Dei Hospital.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 22nd 2008, 10:24
Anything, as long as proper parking is found and built. It is now that Pieta residents are able to use their own streets in order to park their cars, at any time during the day and night!
Mark Galea
Oct 22nd 2008, 10:01
What a great idea! Having all government departments housed under one roof, and in such a central location too.
Criss Camilleri
Oct 22nd 2008, 09:41
Good and I agree, but what about an Old person's retiring home, like St. Vincent De Paule?
Yes why not modernise Wards and place the persons on the waiting list there in. After all, I beleive, the Govt. charges 80% [out of the pensions] for each person. The majority cannot afford a Private retirement home.
J INGUANEZ
Oct 22nd 2008, 09:34
I fully agree with the idea that St.Luke's Hospital should be refurbished to house most Government office and if possible create a one-stop shop. Do not waste this precious space.