The Ministry for Active Ageing has launched a pilot project of a palliative care service at the Mtarfa elderly home, with the aim of soon providing it in the rest of the government's homes for the elderly around Malta and Gozo.

During a press conference, it was explained how this pilot project will include treatment by respective professionals for various diseases with terminal diagnosis such as dementia, Parkinson’s and stroke sufferers.

Minister for Active Ageing Jo Etiene Abela said that from this new initiative not only will the patient be benefitting but it will also alleviate the pains of relatives.

Abela added that this service will be provided by a number of different professionals. These include doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and psychotherapists, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians, physiotherapists, speech therapists and other professionals as deemed necessary.

A committee has also been set up set entrusted to make a system of procedures on palliative care. Apart from that it will also be in charge to describe and list the responsibilities that each profession has towards the delivery of holistic palliative care.

The Minister thanked the staff of the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre and the Ministry of Health whom with dedication, trained a team of 19 multidisciplinary professionals in order to provide this service in The Home for the Elderly in Mtarfa.

 He added that there are currently 15 other professionals receiving the necessary training.

Agency for Active Ageing and Community Care Chief Executive Renzo Degabriele said that this service will also improve the quality of life of the elderly, as it will now avoid the discomfort that the elderly suffer when they spend days away from home, receiving care, at such a delicate time in their lives.