Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today said that an independent authority tasked with enforcing standards at old people's homes will be set up.

Speaking during the launch of a private old people's home run by Care Malta in St Paul Bay, Dr Muscat said there is a need for minimum standards to be established for elderly people in long-term care.

The standards will be based on the need for privacy, dignity and personalised care, he said.

The government will continue encouraging investments in old people's homes as well as reducing bureaucracy.

He said Malta's ageing population will continue to place pressure on the health care system, and the main challenge for the government is to ensure that resources are used effectively.

Zaren Vassallo, Chairman of the Vassallo group, said a three star hotel was converted in six months with an investment of five million in order to bring it up to the necessary standards.

All the rooms had to be converted and an array of accessibility issues tackled he said.

The construction industry in Malta is strong, and needs continual support from the government he said, noting with satisfaction that the government supports public-private partnerships in the elderly care sector.