Medical students yesterday warned they would only support the opening of a Barts campus in Gozo, as long as this would not overstretch resources at the existing medical school at Mater Dei Hospital.

The Malta Medical Students Association issued the statement in the wake of government plans unveiled last week for the prestigious medical school to operate within the precincts of the Gozo General Hospital.

The setting up of this school is part of a radical shake-up in the healthcare system which will involve setting up regional hubs in Gozo and the former St Luke’s Hospital.

Addressing a news conference at De Valette Square in Valletta, association president Gabriel Ellul said concerns had already been raised with Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne.

However, the latter had reassured them that the quality of teaching at the medical school would not be compromised to accommodate the new campus in Gozo. Mr Ellul said that the parliamentary secretary had clarified that use of Mater Dei facilities would be minimal, and only from the third year onwards by which date the new school should have its own facilities. In addition, students were also promised that Queen Mary University would provide most of the staff.

Nevertheless, the president of the medical students’ body warned that they would monitor the implementation of this project to ensure such reassurances were kept.

Meanwhile, the medical students presented a position paper as part of a health-week conference which ended yesterday. The report dealt with the decriminalisation of drugs, drunk-driving, smoking, teen pregnancies and mental health problems among youths.

The association called for more emphasis on educational programmes, while cautioning against attempts by the State to step in for parents by extending school hours through breakfast and homework clubs.