A week ago, after suffering a total blackout in my armchair after finishing lunch, I was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital in the record time of five minutes in an ambulance.
On arrival, I was immediately seen by a consultant at the Emergency and Admission Department who, after the preliminary investigations, directed me to the Neurology Ward where I was comfortably accommodated in a four-bedded room. Various clinical investigations were initiated here, following which I was transferred to the 32-bedded Cardiac Unit for round-the-clock heart-function monitoring and additional intensive investigations. Two days later I received medical clearance from this ward and was transferred for my final stay to a four-bedded Medical Ward.
During these internal peregrinations and stops I naturally had more than ample leisure time at my disposal, which I employed as usefully as possible, either by reading, intense observation of my surroundings and more often conversing with fellow patients, in many instances evidently more unfortunate than myself.
In no time at all we all became excellent friends and company − rather like a closely-knit extended family unit supporting each other to the best of our abilities. It was invariably heartbreaking and psychologically upsetting to take leave of these valuable new friends and acquaintances when shifting from one unit to another. Admittedly, such transfers are necessary and quite understandable in a general hospital this size that caters for the needs of the whole population.
During my frequent contacts and occasional conversation with the medical staff serving at different levels, I managed to gain a fair insight into the various working components contributing to the effectiveness of the healing machine. As a general rule I found staff quite helpful and cooperative but, as is the rule everywhere, I did not fail to come across the odd black sheep that needed a good scrubbing to match the shiny whiteness of the rest of the flock.
For instance the way of addressing patients, often by re-christening them and not infrequently using objectionable and irrelevant adjectives lacking in respect and dignity, leaves much room for improvement. But, above everything else on the negative side, to my way of thinking, there appears to be a dire necessity of a more sympathetic and refined psychological approach when the need arises to shift patients around. This applies equally to some members of the higher medical echelon who, albeit highly competent in their professional discipline, ought to rethink their social behaviour when they take up their position next to their patient’s bedside.
For instance, a salutation on entering or exiting the ward and more so on discharging a patient is not all that time-consuming (notwithstanding the tremendous pressure they have to labour under and endure day in day out). More sympathy towards and proper contact with the patient would not only be highly salubrious but would certainly be a most effective pill for improving the lot of the client.
Everything told, however, the overall service provided easily classifies as top notch and is a shining credit to the country – certainly second to none in any of the advanced communities anywhere.
Another negative point which cannot escape my comments is the tendency of some professionals, including consultants, to take it to heart instead of showing more tolerance when a patient reacts to assert his rights − especially those relating to the expectation of being accurately kept up to date with his medical condition, progress or otherwise.
What I found helpful and intellectually stimulating was the intimate discussing and exchanging of views with fellow patients – some of whom were highly intelligent with a keen sense of observation and fair criticism. The regular occurrences that made my day were the frequent morning and afternoon visits by loving and totally dedicated in-laws of patients which lifted my morale and strengthened my belief that, thank God, family bonds are still as strong and as healthy as ever and that no amount of sacrifice is shirked in the interest and well-being of their loved ones.
We should all pray that this admirable attribute and asset of the Maltese character is permanently retained and cultivated for evermore.
One remark about the staff, which I must not refrain from mentioning, is the efficient and highly impressive way all expatriate and local staff, from high to low, work so harmoniously together and are integrated as one happy and reciprocally respectful band of employees.
I was awarded more than ample time to observe and analyse in quite some depth, as is my wont and business considering my past work and experience, the architecture and its functional detailing that surrounded me. Comments relating to the basic incipient flaws of the hospital layout do not deserve repeating here as I have already dealt with these exhaustively in previous letters to the press.
What is worthy of mention and comment this time, as I have experienced and seen with my eyes, is the unwieldiness and burdensome running with all the accompanying disadvantages of obsolete 32-bedded wards incorporated in contemporary design especially for acute accommodation.
Quite frankly this solitary provision appears to me as being an afterthought in the design process and meant to attain a belated objective of increasing bed accommodation. It is, I believe, a flagrant classical proof militating strongly against the introduction of such obsolete, extensive wards for any purpose whatsoever but especially for cardiac cases.
I felt pleasure and satisfaction examining accurately the detailing of the various units where I took up my abode and can confirm that these are perfect in execution and choice of materials. The only missing item that struck was the total absence of seating in the shower compartments, which could easily be remedied by hinged plastic seats so readily available everywhere.
The hygiene and cleaning standards throughout are absolutely 5-star. It is difficult to give sufficient credit to the administration for its magnificent almost round-the-clock efforts to keep the place spotlessly clean and tidy.
Summing up, Malta should deservedly feel highly proud of its first class, five-star hospital service and accommodation which I am convinced is second-to-none anywhere.
All the staff involved in running the show deserve our deepest gratitude and appreciation for dedication to their work and love of patient they display in all departments.
May God bless them and help them in the practice of one of the noblest and humane professions open to those with a true vocation.
Edwin Calleja
BALZAN