Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Ian Borg said that children and their families should be at the heart of healthcare, while addressing the fourth Family Centred Care Conference, organised by Ronald McDonald House Charities Malta in collaboration with the Malta Paediatric Association.

The conference brought together professionals and organisations to discuss how care can better respond to the needs of children and their families.

Borg said that parents are essential partners in care, as their knowledge of their children helps professionals provide more tailored care, facilitated by clear communication, active listening, and the involvement of children, appropriate to their age.

"This is an opportunity to convey the government's message regarding the care of children and their loved ones, while also highlighting the efforts of companies and organisations that understand the challenges they face. We want to keep the family at the heart of everything we do. Therefore, even as we plan for the expansion of the Emergency Department, we are implementing initiatives starting today, including the creation of a multisensory space," Borg said.

This space within the Emergency Department at Mater Dei will provide a calmer environment for children with autism, additional needs, or sensory processing difficulties.

Supported by the Chinese Embassy and the Malta Trust Foundation, this initial space within the existing department will also contribute to the development of facilities planned for the upcoming expansion.

Borg also referred to an agreement with Ronald McDonald House Charities Malta regarding the 'Family Cart' initiative.

Through this project, trained volunteers will visit paediatric wards and the Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Units in the evenings to offer light refreshments, drinks, and hygiene products, all while strictly adhering to infection prevention protocols.

He also expressed a commitment to continue exploring the possibility of providing accommodation for parents who live far from the hospital and whose children require treatment for serious conditions.

He also mentioned the formal recognition of Community Paediatrics as a sub-specialty, as well as the appointment of new consultants to strengthen care.

The establishment of the Child, Adolescent and Youth Services (CAYS) - in Gozo in 2024 and in Malta in 2025 - is also enhancing coordination between developmental care and mental health services.

Furthermore, these services promote closer collaboration with the education, inclusion, and social protection sectors, ensuring that children's needs are addressed in a more coordinated and comprehensive manner, a government statement said.

Borg expressed his gratitude to the professionals, voluntary organisations, and families, emphasising that investing in children and their caregivers is an investment in a stronger and more inclusive Malta.