Social Policy Minister John Dalli has said he is determined to put the interests of patients first as new systems are adopted in the health service.

"All other interests will be subordinated to this," he said.

Addressing the European Regional Commonwealth Nursing Conference held in Malta last Saturday, Mr Dalli emphasised that patients, their wellbeing and comfort are his bottom line and will be his ministry's main objective.

He said the government would be investing heavily in the development of the infrastructure and in human resources to man the various facilities, to upgrade primary health and spread out some of the load to health centres.

He stressed the need to continue upgrading and expanding training programmes, adding that the authorities will be working with tertiary institutions and workers' representatives on systems to adapt these programmes to the current situation, especially as regards the shortage of nurses.

While, over the years, the government had given priority to the health sector, there was still a long way to go. The country was experiencing problems such as "inappropriate bed occupancy in hospitals", long waiting lists for surgery, uncontrolled distribution of free medicine and wrong attitudes in relations with patients, he noted.

Questioned about the latter, the minister said the authorities were taking this seriously and would be discussing the matter with workers' representatives.

Although reports on these issues have been aired over radio programmes, Mr Dalli said he was not aware of any formal complaints having been lodged.