Healthcare reform under a Labour government will be done in partnership with the private sector, according to Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat.

He said the private sector must not be viewed as an antagonist but as a strategic partner.

“Public-private partnerships had to be the cornerstone on which the health sector is reformed,” Dr Muscat told the first-ever gathering of Labour Party members yesterday.

After speeches by healthcare professionals and a keynote address by orthopaedic surgeon Charles Grixti, the members approved a policy guideline that called for a hospital where patients are treated “better and on time”.

Dr Muscat only spoke for 10 minutes in the final workshop dealing with health and MPs remained silent throughout, in a listening exercise the Labour leader described as ground breaking for domestic politics.

Prof. Grixti called for more efficient and professional management at Mater Dei Hospital to provide medical workers with adequate backup. He also highlighted the problems associated with the emergency department and the waiting times patients had to endure.

The number of cubicles where patients could be investigated fell to 14 from 20 at St Luke’s Hospital, he noted.

“This happened because Area Two is being used as a holding bay for patients waiting to be given a bed in the ward,” Prof. Grixti said, adding that patients were seen by junior doctors, who could not take certain medical decisions.

He said Area Two had to reopen and more specialised doctors with experience, who could make those certain decisions, had to serve in emergency.

Prof. Grixti also called for more specialised units at health centres to reduce the outpatient burden on Mater Dei.

The elderly were also discussed, with a keynote address by business analyst John Cassar White. In a discussion on open government, the main speeches were delivered by lawyer Alex Sciberras and Labour MEP Louis Grech.

Members heard suggestions for the introduction of online referendums, better education on e-government services, a separate price index for pensioners and the importance of addressing inequality in wages for men and women.