A new organ support and treatment escalation policy has been implemented at Mater Dei Hospital to ensure that patients showing signs of deterioration receive rapid, specialised medical intervention, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela said.

In a press conference on Monday, Abela announced the new system, which is being implemented without the need for millions in investment, but through strategic investment in staff and protocols.

The new system aims at improving the management of patients whose conditions begin to deteriorate while hospitalised.

It is based on a personalised Treatment Escalation Plans (TEPs) and a Rapid Response Team model, and allows for immediate intervention by specialists when warning signs emerge.

“These developments are the result of hard work and in-depth study. They are designed to save lives and ensure that patients leave the hospital in good condition,” Abela said.

Each patient admitted to Mater Dei will now have an individualised treatment escalation plan, which is a “living” plan which are constantly reviewed and updated by medical teams to reflect the patient’s condition, Abela said.

“When a person is admitted, specialists must immediately assess what treatment is needed, however, conditions can change suddenly, so it is critical that the care plan is adapted continuously to prevent deterioration,” Abela said.

The system includes a structured Early Warning Score (EWS), which helps identify when a patient’s condition is becoming unstable.

He said that when a patient’s score reaches a certain threshold, an alert is automatically triggered, calling in a Rapid Response Team made up of highly trained specialists.

“This team is deployed from different wards at Mater Dei and steps in immediately to stabilise the patient, reducing the risk of complications or death,” Abela said, adding that a similar system will also be introduced at Gozo General Hospital.

The goal, he said, is to halt the deterioration process early and avoid critical situations.

Abela said that while not every patient may respond to treatment, even with such systems in place, the likelihood of improved outcomes increases significantly with earlier intervention.

Abela thanked the medical professionals behind the policy shift, specifically naming Dr Beatrice Farrugia, Dr James Clarke, Dr Agnes Portelli, and Dr Duncan Briffa, who played key roles in the new protocols.

“I want to thank them on behalf of all patients, current and future, for their invaluable contribution. This is an investment in our workforce, not a million-euro project. It is about making sure that the patient gets the best possible care,” Abela said.

He also praised the broader hospital staff for embracing the changes and emphasised that this kind of progress comes from recognising and empowering those already working within the system.

“When we are treating our patients, this kind of work will make a real difference,” he said.