St Thomas Hospital on Thursday announced its Emergency Department will now be operational 24/7, as the Opposition pledged to work with the private sector to help bolster the country’s critical healthcare infrastructure.

St Thomas Hospital Director Louis Buhagiar said the new department represents an investment of more than €200,000 in state-of-the-art equipment and specialist medical talent, aimed at delivering best-in-class trauma and emergency care. The department is fully licensed by the Healthcare Standards Directorate and staffed by a roster of five specialist trauma orthopaedic surgeons.

The investment follows the government’s recent decision to outsource non-critical emergency care to private hospitals, a measure intended to ease pressure on the national healthcare system while offering patients access to additional facilities across the island.

During a courtesy visit on Thursday morning, Opposition Leader Alex Borg welcomed the hospital’s investment, saying a Nationalist government would work closely with the private healthcare sector to strengthen Malta’s overall health infrastructure. He said a PN administration would explore a broad range of public-private partnerships and consider allocating a portion of National Insurance contributions towards a form of private health insurance, allowing citizens access to private hospitals when needed.

Dr Buhagiar, a consultant physician with more than four decades of clinical experience, welcomed the comments, noting that St Thomas Hospital would continue investing in services and expanding further in the coming months.

The new Emergency Department has committed dedicated operating theatre time and maintains a substantial inventory of orthopaedic implants and specialised surgical tools reserved exclusively for trauma cases. These include implants sourced through partnerships with international suppliers, introducing premium-grade products that have not previously been available in Malta.

All implants used by the department are manufactured from lightweight titanium, an advanced material known for its strength, hypoallergenic properties and full compatibility with MRI imaging. The hospital said these materials represent a step forward in patient safety, comfort and recovery outcomes.

St Thomas Hospital Medical Director Dr Kristen Buhagiar said the demand for trauma services has risen steadily in recent years, particularly injuries such as fractures, dislocations and orthopaedic emergencies that require immediate attention.

“Our dedicated Emergency Department ensures we are fully equipped to meet this demand, both in terms of personnel and infrastructure,” she said. “This helps ease the burden on the state healthcare system while ensuring patients receive fast, high-quality care.”

The hospital’s clinical teams have also developed comprehensive standard operating procedures tailored specifically to trauma and emergency care. These protocols cover injuries including fractures to the wrist, shoulder, elbow, ankle and foot, ensuring evidence-based treatment from arrival through recovery.

“Our goal is not just to treat trauma, but to raise the standard of how it is delivered,” Dr Buhagiar said.

St Thomas Hospital, which opened its doors a decade ago, said the launch of the 24/7 Emergency Department forms part of its broader strategy to invest in services that meet Malta’s evolving healthcare needs through a combination of clinical excellence and advanced technology.For more information visit St Thomas Hospital.