An average of 185 parents has accompanied their children overseas to receive treatment which is not available locally.

Since 2014, parents have had the possibility of travelling with their sick children. 751 parents have benefitted from this option until now. Health Minister Chris Fearne presented these figures in parliament in reply to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Alex Muscat.

The figures showed that there were more than 2,000 people who went overseas for medical treatment in the period between 2014 and December 2017. Some patients had to travel more than once, making the total number of treatments in this period add up to 3,104.

This information reveals how the average number of patients stood at around 500 a year, a substantial increase from the 279 in 2008. The eligibility for patients to travel abroad is assessed by an adjudicating board called the Treatment Abroad Advisory Committee.