Flushing of port-a-caths for cancer patients is now also taking place in certain health centres, Health Minister chris Fearne has said.

A port-a-cath system consists of two parts, the port (reservoir) and the catheter (tube). The port which is a small rounded device made of titanium metal is implanted under the skin in the upper chest area. It has one chamber covered by a plastic membrane through which a needle can be inserted to deliver medication or take out blood.

This apparatus requires regular maintenance while the patient is receiving cancer treatment, and even after given that many-a-time it remains in a patient for a period following treatment.

"Because of thus, patients who no longer received cancer treatment would need to go to the Oncology Centre every so often so that flushing of the port-a-cath can occur, however over the past months this service began to be handled in health centres as well."

"Collaboration between Health Centre nurses and primary care nurses, as well as the Directorate of Cancer Care Pathways collaborated, and after an intensive course, cleaning port-a caths are also taking place in health centres." 

 Currently, this service is offered at the Birkirkara and Bormla Health Centres, and will soon be offered at the Rabat Health centre.