You rightly point out that the most important thing in life is one’s health (Health matters, TMID, 31 May).

Thank God, we have excellent health services that have become even better through the opening of the Mater Dei Hospital. Added to this, most hospital staff are dedicated people who are courteous and encouraging, often going beyond their normal line of duties to help their patients.

But it does appear awkward that while patients staying in hospital get the right treatment and solidarity, those who have to be treated as outpatients are often left waiting for long hours. It happens in the emergency department where, I understand, this kind of approach is adopted – rightly so – because the more urgent cases need to be treated first.

But I cannot understand the anomaly of having to be at the hospital at 7.30am along with another 20 people who were given the same time for an appointment? Why cannot we have a system as happens in the private sector, where clients are given appointments at 15 or 20 minute intervals, and delays are minimal.

It would be much better for the hospital administration too, as this would not mean having so many people converging on Mater Dei Hospital at one time. This is simple logic that needs to be followed, and the consultants should be the first to adopt such a system.

After all, some of them work or have worked in the private sector, and there they do not tell all their patients to go to the clinic at the same time.

I do hope that the new minister responsible for health, John Dalli, takes the matter in his hands. He is known to be a motivator and I do trust that he will be able to change the system.

Patrick Vella

Qormi