Patients will soon be able to have routine tests done at health centres, which will also remain open until 8pm under a new agreement between the medical association and the health authorities.

We saw and understood a need that would benefit the primary health centres

Health Minister Joe Cassar said the agreement with the Medical Association of Malta would take health services forward and build on a previous agreement signed before the 2008 general election.

“Five years ago we agreed on salaries and work conditions, to invest in and keep the best of the medical profession in Malta,” he said. That agreement had reached its aim of stopping the brain drain.

The new one, Dr Cassar said, would “open a new door” by offering better conditions and salaries for doctors in the primary sector.

Thanking doctors for their service, Dr Cassar said: “We saw and understood a need that would benefit the primary health centres, as their services need to grow, improve and increase.” Over the next five years, health centres, regional hubs and the hospital’s outpatient departments will remain open until 8pm.

Dr Cassar refused to say what the financial package was, and there was no need to get into technicalities, but the concept was “the more you work, the more you earn”.

Association president Martin Balzan said primary health needed to be given more priority and developed into a complete service.