Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Dr Chris Fearne announced that an agreement should be signed this week between the University of Malta and the Department of Health about how the new Barts University, the UoM and Mater Dei Hospital can work together.

Dr Fearne was being interviewed on the Ma’ Bundy programme on RTK Radio.

Dr Fearne was asked about progress made in the contracts being drawn up with Barts Medical School and Vitals Global Healthcare, which will be cooperating with the government in the project for St Luke’s Hospital, Karen Grech Rehabilitation Hospital and Gozo’s General Hospital.

He said that, before the signing of the contract with Vitals Global Healthcare, there are numerous meetings going on with all stakeholders to ensure that all are satisfied with the project.

“Negotiations with unions including GWU and UHM are in their final phase,. We are at a very advanced stage with MUMN and we have agreed with MAM on every aspect, however they expressed that they would rather we reach an agreement with the UoM first. This agreement has been reached, and we will be signing is this week” Mr Fearne confirmed.

The original plans announced in 2015 were for the redevelopment, maintenance, management, and operation of the sites at St. Luke’s Hospital, Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital and Gozo General Hospital. A €200 million investment from the private sector was expected by the government to transform the Gozo General Hospital and St Luke’s Hospital into medical hubs and sites of medical tourism; the latter especially for Gozo.

The plans also included a new private hospital in Gozo, for Gozitans and medical tourists alike, and this will provide 250 new beds adding to the existing 200 geriatric beds bringing the total of beds in Gozo to 450.

Studies have estimated that Gozo will receive a cash injection of up to €9 million annually when the Barts medical school starts operating at full capacity.