Minister: primary care reform is in good health

The primary health care reform is alive and well, Health Minister Joe Cassar sought to emphasise yesterday, rebutting criticism that followed the scrapping of controversial proposals two years ago.

People in pain must understand that their first point of contact should be a general practitioner

“It is a misconception that the reform never happened. Over the years we made changes that are all part of the reform.”

A full blown reform of the primary health care service had been announced in 2009 and a document was launched for consultation. It revolved around a family doctor registration system.

The proposals were scrapped in 2010 amid vociferous criticism from doctors and government backbenchers, who argued they would spell the end of free healthcare.

Since then many have criticised the government over the failed reform – which Dr Cassar insisted yesterday was happening.

Speaking at the Paola health centre, he listed the changes so far.

He mentioned My Health, a government service that provides patients and doctors with online access to medical records.

Some €1 million was being invested in refurbishing Mosta and Rabat health centres. Besides, lots of work was being done so that people could start perceiving their family doctor as their first point of reference.

Many people, he said, were under the misconception that the public did not use health centres. However, statistics proved otherwise. Between January and July more than 678,000 services were given to individual patients at the eight health centres and 42 clinics. These included 243,000 examinations at health centres, a further 62,000 at clinics and nearly 10,000 home visits. Other services included more than 43,000 blood tests and some 14,000 X-rays.

Edward Borg, chief executive of the Primary Health Care Department, said the total was estimated to reach 1.4 million services by the end of the year.

He said members of his department formed a committee with Mater Dei Hospital representatives to coordinate services.

Patients who were discharged from hospital could get follow-up treatment from their nearest health centre.

Another committee was investigating why doctors sent patients to Mater Dei even if they could be treated at a health centre.

Dr Cassar said health centres also offered specialist care and insisted people who were in pain should understand that their first point of contact should be a general practitioner.