Healthcare in Malta becoming less consumer friendly

danielzammit

Nov 13th 2008, 16:52

this is a good case which is indicative that there is a chronic shortage of labour staff and by that i mean people who do bench work and have direct contact with the patients be they nurses doctors medical lab scientists,physiotherapists etc.there are too many managerial posts and more managers/administratorst then there are workers .In many sections you can see what one could call an upside down pyramid. Could be a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth.

C Cassar

Nov 13th 2008, 13:13

Mr De Bono, point taken. I have to admit it sounds like you know a lot more about this subject than me :)

Charles Micallef

Nov 13th 2008, 12:42

@Mr De Bono,

I am sure that your vistis to Mater Dei are not as a patient... as otherwise you might fall off your high horse and come and live with us in the real world

I never critised the Hospital buildings or fabric, I also believe what I stated that there are a lot of very good patient orientated employees which you failed to read.

However I do strongly believe that some employees could do with being orientated into how to approach and speak to patient who at the end is their customer.

Some do areobics as they could not afford Ballet Lessons!

Mario De Bono

Nov 13th 2008, 12:39

Mr Cassar, I am afraid that your misconception is the result of wrong information. Generics are not expected to pass a mark, but they are tested and certified on bioequivalence. This means they have to be exact copies in all respects, even as to their efficacy, as the originator or brands. In other wards, they have to undergo the same clinical trials and come out as being bioequivalent. The EU standard, and the BP Standard and the USP standard are used, and a generic usually has to satisfy all these standards. One last point is that most generic producers are now owned by the originators themselves. I am sure you are an expert in your field, but healthcare and pharmaceuticals is my job.

C Cassar

Nov 13th 2008, 12:21

Mr De Bono, on the matter of generics I am afraid that I have to disagree. When a generic is tested, of course it has to pass a high standard (at no point did I say we are being fed rubbish). However, to use layman's language, it does not mean that it got the same grade as the original product. So if the pass mark is 50, and the generic gets 60, while the original gets 70, then they both passed, but I sure as hell would prefer the med that got the 70 - wouldn't you?

c.scerri

Nov 13th 2008, 12:20

The bottom line is that in the countries within the tope group, people understand that nothing is free and they are ready to pay all their taxes - this would imporve in the number of staff employed and thus reduce waiting lists etc as well as increase the number of free pharmaceuticals!

Mario De Bono

Nov 13th 2008, 11:59

We all know what Mr. Micallef and its no wonder he is doing aerobics lessons instead of being empoyed at the cutting edge of healthcare. He has the gall to criticise POYC, which has empowered the patient over the civil service employee. Thanks to GRTU and the Chamber of Pharmacists, 25,000 people are being served and the general feedback is very positive. Pity that Governmnet is swayed by people like Mr Micallef, however.

I go to Mater Dei every day, and one cannot fault the place. I also visit a lot of hospitals in the EU, and I can say, hand on heart, that they are not a patch on Mater Dei. You will not find a state run hospital with that level of care, efficency and equipment. The human element is important, but hey, I get surly service all the time from both Govt and private emplyees. Its a Maltese thing.

I would like to clear Mr Cassar's misconception on generics. If certified in the EU, they are every bit as good as the brands. They are no different, and are frequently made in the same factory with different liveries.The EU has the highest possible standards in pharmaceutical quality.

C Cassar

Nov 13th 2008, 11:35

From the comments below (eg Charles Micallef) it is clear that we are in for some more doctor and nurse bashing today.... However the reality is that the change in ranking is due to a lot more than doctor and nurse clothing as implied by Mr Micallef. If you read the article you will see that the ranking takes into consideration waiting time, pharmaceuticals on offer, reach of services.... that has nothing to do with whether our health care professionals think they are doing someone a favour, or whether they think they are on a catwalk!

If the waiting lists are long, it is because there is a shortage of staff, and a shortage of beds! If the pharmaceuticals are not up to scratch, it is because government has to cut costs and purchase generics, which are often less effective than the originals. If the reach of services is not what it should be, it is because of the staff shortage once again.

So grow up and start thinking objectively. It appears that your logic is marred by envy and class hatred, and you really cannot see the wood for the trees!

Jannie Hartman

Nov 13th 2008, 11:31

I can well believe that my country of the Netherlands is in the lead * top from the 31 countries
i had the misfortune after falling in Gozo to spend some time in one of the local hospice, there is no need to go any further i think most of you already know why Malta has droped to 23rd position. It was terrible and not up to our eec standard., as a matter of fact we are only here to sit in the sun, spend our money in your country and if any medical care is needed we just fly back to Holland in a jiffy, there i know i'm in good hands and so are my family. The Maltese Health Care and the medical staff although they work hard and do their very best, yet some of the experience needed and customer care is not there YET! as a matter of interest why are there more security people walking about in the new hospice then medical staff?????

Charles Micallef

Nov 13th 2008, 11:07

It is about high time that the management of Mater Dei introduce a "customer friendly week" with a big emphasis as to who, in this respect is the client and who is employed to look after the client!

Although there are a lot of very good and patient orientated employees at all levels, regrettable there are others who are less than professionals and think that they get paid to do the patient a favour and not for providing a service which they get paid for!

You see them parading in certain hospital wards wearing cloths that are fit for a catwalk and not in a hospital!

P.Scicluna

Nov 13th 2008, 11:06

How can it be friendly !!!!! when you go to a particular private hospital for a check up, a simple one you end up with a list. A case in point last weekend I went for a scan (of which I was given the cost) than ended up paying 3 times as much because they include another with out informing me. This is ripp off, and geting very popoular. I find the small clinics or smaller hospitals giver a better service and consumer friendly.