In many instances Primary Care remains the most effective way of delivering health care. This is particularly true where an aging population with long term conditions can add considerable strain on the national health service. With this in mind, the Department of Health is taking a number of initiatives aimed at improving service delivery from its Primary Health Centres, the Department of Information said.

With a view to continuously improve both patient safety and efficiency, Primary Health management draws up and periodically revises procedures aimed at streamlining service delivery from its Centres. One such protocol in force - as drawn up in July 2013 in accordance with the February 2013 collective agreement signed with the Medical Association of Malta - deals with the handling of home visits requests by general practitioners deployed with Primary Health. 

Guidelines in this case define that house visit calls would be vetted by a general practitioner/trainee who decides whether request merits an actual house visit or any other form of intervention. Such guidelines cannot of course bind in any way the general practitioner from taking a justified decision based on his own professional judgement. Depending on individual circumstances, when handling requests over the phone a general practitioner can direct patients to attend a clinic as a walk-in case; refer them for immediate attention in the treatment room; make an appointment for some later stage; perform a home visit with or without an ambulance; or give advice over the phone.

The Department of Health pledges its relentless commitment to provide robust service delivery across all its entities. In doing so the Department of Health relies grossly on the resolute support and dedication of the vast spectrum of professionals employed within and who all come together to give the patient the ultimate health care experience.