Incompetence leads to serious shortcomings

Lack of long-term planning and incompetence in the health sector was leading to serious shortcomings, according to the opposition.

Speaking outside the Floriana health centre, Labour Party social policy and health spokesmen Michael Farrugia and Anthony Zammit said a centralisation of dentistry services would result in a longer waiting list.

Although the government said the move from health centres to hospital was temporary, until the former were renovated, Dr Farrugia pointed out that similar works had already been carried out.

He added that only health centres that required urgent renovation should have been closed.

Dr Farrugia and Prof. Zammit also spoke about the government's failure to plan the oncology centre. It was originally meant to be constructed at Mater Dei Hospital, then there was a proposal to house it in Zammit Clap Hospital and then, after the last general election, it was decided to house it at Mater Dei again, they said.