Surgeons at Malta's acute hospital performed 3,200 more operations last year than in 2007, figures seen by The Times show.

An e-mail sent to consultants by Mater Dei Hospital superintendent Lina Janulova shows that close to 36,000 operations were performed last year, just over 6,000 of which were emergencies.

The majority of operations - 29,766 last year and 27,682 in 2007, including those carried out in St Luke's Hospital - were elective or planned.

However, the detailed statistics do not say how many patients are still waiting to be operated upon. Social Policy Minister John Dalli had described the waiting lists as "scandalous" and last week claimed that some consultants were not pulling their weight. This statement angered doctors, with the Medical Association of Malta categorically denying it.

Contacted yesterday, association president Martin Balzan said the figures showed that surgeons were operating at their full capacity and it was imperative to open the 13 operating rooms that remain closed and man them with the necessary support staff.

Mr Dalli himself has admitted the need for more support staff.

The figures, compiled from the surgical operation database for 2008, show that October was the busiest month, both last year and in 2007. December was the least busy month last year.

In 2007, probably because of the migration from St Luke's to Mater Dei, November was the quietest month, with under 1,800 operations carried out.