The government is considering the feasibility of buying St Philip's Hospital for use as a rehabilitation facility, it has been disclosed in Parliament.

Replying to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Chris Cardona, Health Minister Joseph Cassar explained that The Times of March 3 had carried an advert by Galea Salamone and Associates calling for Expressions of Interest for the acquisition of property suitable for the hospitality or health sector.

Since the Health Ministry was planning a new facility for rehabilitation services, he had proposed to the Cabinet that the government should explore the facility that was being advertised, to see if it made financial sense to acquire it instead of building a new facility.

Once the government formally expressed its interest, it was told that the property was St Philip's Hospital.

The minister said the government was conducting a technical evaluation of the property including its state, the potential for expansion since it only has space for 100 beds, and the costs involved. One also needed to consider the value of the land. In this way it could compare costs with the possibility of building a facility from scratch.

Teams from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance have been formed to handle the process.