Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne yesterday told Parliament that although there were currently no talks going on between the government and the owners of St Philip’s Hospital, there were “interesting developments”.

Dr Fearne was answering questions by health shadow minister Claudio Grech, after initially replying that the government was keeping all options open.

He said it was the government’s wish to see the private health sector, including St Philip’s, grow stronger again. He noted that as a consultant he remembered St Philip’s as a good private hospital which with its high level of services used to reduce pressure on St Luke’s and Mater Dei.

Mr Grech said the two sides of the House were obviously in agreement, but asked if the government was ready to make efforts to utilise this idle resource and reduce overcrowding at State hospitals.