President and Mrs George Abela have returned to Malta following visits to Maltese patients receiving treatment in London hospitals.

During the week they spent in London, President and Mrs Abela, together with the Maltese delegation, were welcomed by the Franciscan nuns of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Throughout their visit, they were accompanied by Malta's High Commissioner in the UK Joe Zammit Tabona.

They visited the National Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Royal Marsden Hospital and Kings College Hospital. They also visited the Ursuline and Agostinian nuns as well as the Franciscan friars, who provided the Maltese patients with a lot of support.

Dr Abela said that this was the third time he and Mrs Abela were making this visit, which helped them understand the suffering of these patients who had to leave their families to get their treatment.

The patients and their families also suffered financially and lonliness.

Yesterday, President Abela unveiled a commemorative plaque on the occasion of the laying of the first stone on land which the Puttinu Cares Foundation is developing in 12 apartments in Sutton, London to provide free accommodation for patients needing to visit London for treatment.