From Mr C. Scicluna

I would like to clarify a number of incorrect statements made in the front-page story titled “ECGs at Mater Dei open weekend send crowds to St Luke’s” (TMIS, 15 July).

Free medical tests were offered at Mater Dei during the Health Festival, which ran in parallel with the Open Weekend. For the record, professional staff carried out around 2,500 free medical tests on-site at Mater Dei in contrast with the 1000 tests quoted in your report; 300 of these tests were in fact ECGs.

Moreover, the “crowds” referred to in the report consisted of a total of five people who, after taking an ECG test, were referred to St Luke’s for further examination. Two people were in fact admitted to St. Luke’s as in patients for further investigation whilst the other three where discharged after the necessary check-up’s.

Six other people were referred to a cardiologist after taking the ECG test, of which three required further investigation.

I am informed that the five cases referred to the Accident and Emergency Department at St. Luke’s Hospital during the Mater Dei open weekend did not disturb or drastically affect the caseload there.

Chris Scicluna

PR & Communications Unit

Mater Dei Hospital