The proposed financial incentives to help families keep their elderly relatives at home was positive step forward, the Medical Association of Malta said.

This would decreasing the pressure on Mater Dei because of lack of beds in homes for the elderly.

MAM also commends the government’s increase in tax on cigarettes and lowering of VAT on sports and gyms, efforts to decrease waiting lists and to increase beds at Mater Dei.

It expressed concerned, however, by the lack of information on the proposed widespread privatisation of healthcare saying it had already pointed out the problems with similar arrangements in the UK.

"These changes have potential impacts on standards of patient care and also working conditions for health care professionals," it said.