Some of the primary healthcare reform proposals, especially those that received "immensely negative feedback", would be changed, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
He said that after considering the feedback, the government would go "back to the drawing board" and change what needs to be changed.
He did not mention any specific proposals but said that, after meeting doctors, he understood their concerns and, in certain cases, believes they were right in their criticism.
Some aspects of the White Paper, which elicited diametrically opposed reactions from two doctors' organisations, were also shot down by members of Dr Gonzi's parliamentary group.
One backbencher, Jean Pierre Farrugia, a doctor by profession, even threatened to vote against the proposals should a Bill be presented in Parliament.
Another backbencher, Frans Agius, a family doctor, joined Dr Farrugia in the criticism, saying the White Paper was "raw". Dr Agius said there were several points on which he had "big reservations" but would not say how he would vote.
The most controversial aspect of the reform seems to be a proposal to have patients register with private family doctors. These doctors would then be able to access the patients' medical records and test results, prescribe some free medicine and make appointments for outpatient services and day care procedures.
Dr Farrugia argued in Parliament that the system would lead family doctors to raise their fees because they would be flooded with work. Moreover, he said, the system would basically introduce a form of payment on health services, which to date are free.
In this respect, he echoed Labour's argument that the reform would spell the end of free healthcare. In fact, the PL criticised the Prime Minister for breaking his pledge that no fees would be introduced on healthcare as long as he led the government.
The Association of Private Family Doctors supported the reform, pointing out that it would give its members more power to treat patients in the community. However, the Medical Association of Malta, which represents health professionals more generally, was critical, primarily because doctors who work for the government would not be able to register.