The government will be spending €7.6 million on healthcare training and research over the next two years, allocating the funds to three major projects.

Health Minister Chris Fearne and Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Aaron Farrugia announced on Friday morning that the funds would help make the health system “more customer friendly”. 85 per cent of the €7.6 million outlay comes from EU funds.

€3.3 million will be spent on training over 6,000 professionals to improve soft skills, such as how to best communicate with patients. 

The minister said that while patients often said hospital services and equipment were of the highest standards, they often complained about the staff’s communication skills. 

READ: Eight months for a hospital appointment

A further €2.1 million will be spent on scholarships for 10 students specialising in eye care and genetic counselling abroad.

The remaining €2.2 million will be spent on long-term health research, notably in the fields of obesity and mental health.

Mr Fearne said that the government had received the go-ahead to kick off the three projects last month. The projects are expected to go on for the next two-and-a-half years.

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