The number of patients admitted to Mater Dei Hospital has increased by a third since 2008, a new report shows.

The 2015 Hospital Activity Report, published today, shows that more than 90,000 admissions were registered at Mater Dei last year, compared to 66,000 eight years ago.

Hospital CEO Ivan Falzon said the increase had been gradual and was reflected in the hospital's increased budget. Hospital resources had also been increased with bed numbers growing by an additional 95 last year. Human resources had also increased, but Mr Falzon said this was "not necessarily enough".

Overall, he said, the hospital was operating more efficiently and could better manage the increased number of patients.

"We are focusing on trying to work smarter, better utilizing our resources to treat patients," he said.

"We are focusing on working smarter," hospital CEO Ivan Falzon said. Source: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The number of out patients using the hospital's services increased by nearly 10 per cent over last year, reaching 480,000.

Clinical Director Joseph Zarb Adami said the hospital was going to great lengths to ensure the increase in patient numbers handled did not result in a drop in quality.

To this end the hospital management was conducting internal quality reviews which he said compared favorably to other European hospitals.

Illustrating how resources were being better utilized, Dr Zarb Adami said some 20 operating theaters were being used everyday, compared to half that in previous years.

"These under-used theatres were an example of a dead resources which we are making better use of," he said.