Throughout history, Malta has been a haven of health care in the Mediterranean. Now its modern hospitals and British-trained doctors offer remarkable value to patinets from the UK. Andrew Baker reports
“Malta has a large number of doctors per head of population, and the island’s health services were recently ranked among the world’s top five nations”
The island of Malta has a long history and tradition of healthcare. According to Malta Enterprise, the hospital established in medieval times by the Knights of St John was the largest in Europe and attracted patients from all over the region. Later, as a brave outpost of the British Empire, healthcare remained an important priority, and during the First World War Malta became known as “the nurse of the Mediterranean”.
Malta has had a medical school for more than 500 years, and many of the island’s student’s travel to the UK to complete their training if they wish to specialise, returning to serve the patients of their community. Maltese surgeons are on the specialist register in the UK, and on the lists of the General Medical Council.
The island has just completed the largest hospital building programme in Europe, and now boasts state of the art equipment. All medical information is electronically processed, and the government hospital system is modelled on Britain’s NHS.
Malta has a large number of doctors per head of population, and the island’s health services were recently ranked among the world’s top five nations, which is an incredible achievement for a small nation.
But what has all this to do with patients in Britain? Because of the strong connections between the medical communities in Malta and the UK, it seems a natural progression for patients seeking surgical treatment to consider travelling to Malta for their procedures.
Among the many advantages highlighted by Malta Enterprise are cost, climate and quality of aftercare. The island has two splendid but small-scale private hospitals; there is plenty of scope for expansion and Malta would be an ideal location for overseas companies wishing to invest in the healthcare sector.
The cost of medical interventions is generally 30 per cent lower than in the UK, and the climate is superb for convalescence. Malta is only three hours’ flying time from the UK, an important factor for unwell patients who would not wish to undertake long-haul travel. Furthermore, all Maltese speak fluent English, so there is no risk of misunderstanding between patient and doctor, and private hospitals in Malta have not had a case of the MRSA “superbug” that is unfortunately so prevalent in British hospitals.
There are no surgical procedures that cannot be accomplished in Malta, and interest from overseas patients at present centres on orthopaedic, cardiac and plastic surgery. Malta is also beginning to expand its dental care market.
According to Malta Healthcare, the island’s medical facilities will appeal to those UK citizens who have become disenchanted with the NHS when they realise that the costs of private surgery compare very favourably with those in the UK. For example, private hip replacement surgery in the UK will cost about £8,000, while the same procedure in Malta will cost £5,550. Similarly, cosmetic surgery in Britain can cost £4,000-£5,000, while comparable procedures in Malta will cost £2,200.
Malta Healthcare asserts that the island can treat up to 50,000 medical tourists a year. This includes all major cosmetic surgery such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, liposuction, dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, as well as orthopaedic surgery for knees, hips and cardiac surgery, laser eye surgery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. In addition, Malta is well equipped to cater for the rising demand for non-invasive treatments such as Botox, chemical peels and dermatological fillers.
A £40 million patient credit facility has been established, backed by two major UK lenders. For the first time, this will enable UK residents to purchase surgery, cosmetic surgery, dental care and non-invasive treatments in addition to their travel and accommodation in Malta via the Malta Healthcare credit card, and pay it off in instalments over a set period. This finance facility will be available towards the end of this month.
Visitors to the private St James’s Hospital report that it is “more like a hotel than a hospital”. British patients have found the fluent English of staff at all levels of the organisation to be “very reassuring”.
Patients who wish to recuperate after their treatment in comfortable surroundings would do well to consult Medical Malta (www.medicalmalta.com), who specialise in putting together packages that include flight, transfers, accommodation and, in some cases, post-operative care. At the Fortina Spa Resort, patients can recover in a choice of four or five-star rooms, with food and services delivered to their rooms so they do not have to walk any distance if they do not wish to.
There are physiotherapists on site, and spa facilities in many rooms.
The Resort also offers shockwave therapy, which has shown very impressive results in stimulating the body’s natural healing processes and speeding recovery. It is particularly effective after orthopaedic procedures or plastic surgery. Fortina’s medical experts have been using used this pioneering technology to boost the body’s natural self-healing process. They have noted cases where patients recovering from cosmetic surgery showed less visible scar tissue than those who hadn’t. The Fortina Spa is also an ideal location for patients who wish to bring a family member with them to help pass the time while they recuperate.
There is also Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa, set on the ground of a 19th century villa and offering luxurious spa facilities which include a heated indoor pool, ultra-modern fitness center, sauna, Jacuzzi, squash court, relaxation area and treatment rooms.
One of Malta’s greatest assets is absolutely free: the climate. While Britain shivers through a soaking, grey winter, in Malta the sun is shining brightly. And that cannot fail to make you feel better.
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Special Report Publishing report on health tourism, distributed exclusively with the Sunday Telegraph
Publisher: Miles Allen
Editor: Andrew Baker
Design & Production: Benn Withers
Print & Distribution: The Telegraph Group Limited
This report was published in association with Treatment Abroad . Visit online at: www.treatmentabroad.net
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Material contained in this report is for general information only and is not intended to be relied upon by individual readers in making (or refraining from making) any specific medical decision. Appropriate advice should be obtained before making any such decisions. Special Report Publishing does not accept any liability for any injury suffered by a reader
