The close monitoring and reviewing of projects that are already up and running is the best way to ensure that the government’s initiatives are as effective as they are intended to be. It is also a necessary exercise to evaluate feedback and explore ways of further improvement and upgrading, besides ensuring more cost-effectiveness. Personally, I strongly believe in this process as it gives me the correct impression of how well the input of all those involved has blended with government policies. 

In real terms, I not only act as a policy-maker with the government’s full backing, but I also go into many details, be they administrative, budgetary or logistic. Together with my dedicated colleagues, I am fully aware that whatever we do is intended to provide the best service possible to the vulnerable members of society. It necessarily follows that the criteria of human rights and full personal dignity are fundamental in everything we do.

Government policies can only be translated into real facts when projects are carried out with due diligence, checking the finest detail that may otherwise deflect or in some way reduce the full purpose of any initiative.

Frequent visits for support

Frequent on-site visits to homes for the elderly and other places accommodating people within the Secretariat’s remit give me a closer idea of how policies are being applied to those people we are bound to serve. Of course, I fully appreciate that my colleagues in each place keep me posted on the day-to-day performance in routine or ad hoc situations and I admire their leadership skills when handling unusual situations.  

As a matter of fact, I consider management and staff in each place as my Secretariat’s positive attitude when serving those who deserve the country’s support. I love gaining experience regarding how things are working, and gather feedback – from staff and residents alike – with a view to improving practices and seeking a remedy in cases of recurring difficulties. It goes without saying that such visits are aimed at expressing my personal appreciation and support for the work carried out day and night by so many dedicated people.

With all this in mind, inaugurating new projects is a celebration of all the efforts of all those involved. Such happy events are never an end unto themselves, but the opening of the next and more important phase is that, immediately a project is launched, performance is constantly monitored with an eye always open for any improvements.

But however essentially proper the whole outlook may appear, we embark on securing the highest levels of quality services the whole concept must provide. I am fully aware that architectural, engineering and design are pivotal to creating the ideal ambience, but it is the kind of service that gives life to the entire project. Older people undoubtedly appreciate the attractive interior design, but only our dedicated staff and their adherence to set standards can provide them with a real sense of belonging – in a home, not just a building.

The Prime Minister at Mtarfa

Last Monday, the Prime Minister visited the Mtarfa Home with in mind. Not only did Dr Muscat experience the way of life of the elderly residents in such homes, but he also engaged in interesting and fruitful conversations with the residents themselves. It was indeed an honour for me to accompany the Prime Minister, not only because he could witness personally what he reads in my reports and updates, but also because he could listen and note the residents’ own ideas and suggestions. It was also an opportunity for staff and residents to speak frankly about particular issues that they would like to see improved and how this could be organised.

Dr Muscat also saw the extensive work being carried out for the benefit of dementia patients. Mtarfa Home was, in fact, earmarked for this purpose last year, with the provision of an additional 15 beds for these patients. The Prime Minister was also briefed about the parallel work being carried by the Parliamentary Secretariat through the professional training of more carers for this specific role. Ideally, it is intended to have the necessary human resources available at a moment’s notice to take over and welcome the first patients to the premises, when they are ready. It is certainly appropriate that the head of government gets a closer look at initiatives supported by the public coffers and all the possible funding we can obtain from the EU.

Further training in the care of the elderly sector has taken place at the St Vincent de Paul Long-term Care Complex in the past week. So far, well over one thousand staff from all levels have been given professional training and this time, the focus was on foreign members of the staff. Here again, one can appreciate the very existence of an in-house Staff Training Centre at the complex, a project realised during the last year.

New community home in Gozo

Another milestone this week was the opening of a community home for people with disabilities in Gozo. It follows the one that has been fully functional in Siġġiewi since last November, while others are being planned in Żabbar, Pembroke and other villages around the island. The one opened just yesterday is purposely sited in the biggest residential area – Taċ-Ċawla in Rabat.

This is the second home of its kind from the 10 the government will open by the end of this legislature. It will be the first one in Gozo and will accommodate around 10 people with a disability. Aġenzija Sapport will operate the residence, under the responsibility of the Parliamentary Secretariat. In a matter of just over a year, there is already the Learning Hub in Għajnsielem, already buzzing with training activities geared to employability through the invaluable input of the Malta Communications Authority and the Employment and Training Corporation.

In addition, Gozo also has its own office for the National Commission for People with Disabilities, while the Special Olympics Council is now fully active on the island. The new community home in Rabat is proof of my Secretariat’s efforts to bring such important services to Gozitan residents with disabilities who, until a few months ago, had to cross over to the sister island.

Proof of our commitment

The newly-opened community home for disabled people was chosen after the proper procedure of a public call for expressions of interest, issued by the Parliamentary Secretariat. The government is also actively working on other similar homes in line with Labour’s election manifesto, particularly the pledge to build a fair society. The basic concept of these homes is the full inclusion of people with disabilities who can live independently in the heart of the community. It has to be appreciated that the whole idea is a radical step forward from the traditional custom of institutionalising those with disabilities and keeping them secluded from the rest of the community. 

I do not need to stress the positive effect such projects have on the quality of life for these members of our society, which validates the government’s commitment to safeguarding their rights and personal dignity.