It is understandable that, after all the criticism, the missed deadlines and the astronomical cost of it all, the government now wants to show the public that the new hospital is up and running. A comprehensive information campaign is one thing, but do we really need media coverage for every single new milestone?

What’s next – the first Mater baby? The first Mater gallstone? The first Mater molar?

And while I think Dr Michael Farrugia made a Mater out of a molehill about the first cardiac operations when he alleged that the lack of functioning operating theatres at the time made them risky, there are other (less serious) shortcomings that do need to be pointed out.

A friend went to collect some pills from the pharmacy on the first day and noticed that the entire set-up is really lacking in foresight.

Apparently, you hand in your prescription at the pharmacy, then you have to trek over to the billing section, which is in the main building, to pay for the medicine, then you trudge back to the pharmacy to collect it – that’s three different queues and a whole lot of time wasting. It’s not only impractical, but almost cruel for those who are elderly and/or unwell. It is a nuisance that could have easily been avoided by setting up a cash point at the pharmacy.

These are the kind of little things that would never have arisen, given a bit of common sense and a “put yourself in the patient’s shoes” approach to hospital planning.

It also indicates that the staff who work in these departments may not have been consulted as to how to make it easier for the public to use the hospital’s services. (Just like midwives were apparently not consulted about the positioning of the maternity ward: a woman in the throes of labour does not really want to be put on public display as she is wheeled in, not to mention the fact that an eight-minute ride from the entrance to the ward can seem like an eternity when you are in pain.)

Other complaints I’ve heard are about the cost of parking, especially for those who need to visit someone who is in the hospital for several weeks, or even months – again, this is a customer care issue that needs to be looked into.

While everyone can appreciate that the transfer from one hospital to another is a major undertaking, because people’s health is at stake, I don’t think the government needs to get all prickly when people mention these (albeit minor) flaws.

Perhaps a suggestion box could be put up in a public area so that those who use and/or work at the hospital can put forward ideas on how things can be improved.

I think I speak for most people when I say everyone wants the new hospital to be something of which we can be proud, that functions properly and where you are ensured of excellent (free) healthcare that justifies all the expenditure.

So let’s stop using it as a political football in the election campaign and just grow up.

* * *

Can I end this Mater saga with a bit of a joke?

I’m getting kind of nervous with all those signs and posters telling me that my hospital is moving – hope it doesn’t mean that, after all those millions, the foundations are shaky.

There, that’s my little contribution to lighten up the election atmosphere.