As we prepare to welcome the community to the Open Day on 25 January 2026, it is a fitting moment to reflect on the remarkable journey of the Ċensu Moran Regional Healthcare Hub - a project that has matured from vision to fully operational regional facility.

Having guided the hub from its development stages through the soft launch on 14 July 2025 and the official inauguration on 13 October 2025, it is a privilege to look back at the achievements made possible through the dedication of our teams and partners.

From its inception, the hub was designed as a cornerstone of Malta's secondary healthcare reform - an accessible, community‑centred facility bridging primary care and acute hospital services.

Since opening its doors, the Hub has made a profound impact. To date, more than 70,000 patients have received care within this state‑of‑the‑art facility, which is now offering more than 50 services, set to expand to 62 by the end of January 2026. These services are well‑documented in the Hub's service listings and operational sources, illustrating the breadth of care now available to the southern region.

Enhancing this service provision, several specialised clinical offerings were successfully implemented over the past year. The Physiotherapy Department introduced a targeted exercise programme for chronic back pain, emphasising measurable outcomes and improved patient mobility. Meanwhile, the Vascular Clinic, launched in 2025, has already earned strong commendation from patients and clinical staff alike for its efficient flow and high‑quality care.

The Hub's diagnostic capabilities have been strengthened through significant investment in imaging services. The Imaging facilities underwent thorough inspection by regulatory bodies, and radiographers completed detailed technical training, enabling reliable and modern radiographic support. The new X‑ray ordering and appointment workflow, put in place some weeks ago, has streamlined inter‑departmental coordination between primary and secondary care.

Behind these clinical services lies a strong operational foundation of policies, standard operating procedures and forms as a basis of building up a resilient Quality Management System on preparation for various regulatory requirements, certification and licensing. The asset register and accompanying processes were redesigned to improve traceability and reduce loss, supported by preparatory work on smart inventory management systems.

Workforce development was equally prioritised. A tailored training programme for frontline employees established a consistent, patient‑centred culture across clinical and support teams.

Digital Transformation and Operational Excellence

In addition to its clinical successes, the hub has embraced significant digital and process‑optimisation advancements designed to enhance patient experience and operational efficiency.

The introduction of an integrated patient management and queueing system has improved the flow of patients throughout the facility, reducing congestion and ensuring a smoother, more predictable care journey. This was complemented by the adoption of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, enabling more responsive handling of patient requests, improved tracking of enquiries, and better coordination across customer‑facing teams.

A major milestone in patient empowerment has been the development of the new mobile app "Saħħti", designed to give patients convenient access to information, appointment details, service navigation and support. The app represents an important step forward in digital self‑service and in strengthening communication between the community and the Hub.

Operational excellence also featured strongly in 2025 through the introduction of lean management concepts aimed at eliminating waste and simplifying workflows. These initiatives have reduced unnecessary movement, avoided duplication, and enhanced standardisation across services.

Additionally, the hub adopted greater workforce flexibility, allowing staff and clinical resources to be dynamically deployed based on daily service demand, maximising utilisation while maintaining high service quality.

Looking ahead - continuing the vision

As the Paola Hub moves into its next phase, plans are already in motion to expand specialist services such as endoscopy, pain therapy, minor day surgeries, Pharmacy, and several other clinics such as dental, perinatal mental health, cardiology, Medical Interventions Therapy Unit (MITU) and Insulin Pump will continue to enhance integrated care pathways across the region. Further development of clinical technology, digital systems, and staff capability will ensure that the Hub remains at the forefront of modern secondary care through the continued collaboration with national partners, the Hub is well‑positioned to grow alongside Malta's evolving healthcare needs.

Above all, the achievements to date - and the foundations now in place - ensure that the Ċensu Moran Regional Healthcare Hub will continue to serve as a leading model of accessible, high‑quality, and patient‑centred secondary healthcare for years to come.

I invite everyone to come and visit the Hub on Sunday, 25 January 2026.

Joseph Chetcuti is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Health and active Ageing