Progress in talks for government lease of St Philip’s Hospital

The director of St Philip's Hospital, Frank Portelli, has told MaltaToday progress has been registered in discussions with the health ministry to rent or lease the shuttered hospital to the government and add up to a total of 275 beds to the national service.

Portelli, a former Nationalist candidate for the European Parliament, would not confirm whether a lease agreement for 15 years in which the health ministry will the hospital group €1 million a year has been negotiated.

"I can confirm that progress has been registered in these discussions between the negotiating teams, but it would be premature for me to make any statements at this stage as various options are 'on the table' - including leasing.

St Philips Hospital can provide around 100 beds for rehabilitation purposes, but Portelli said the hospital can be extended to provide a total of 275 beds to the national health service, besides other services such as MRI, outpatient services, and operating theatres.

"I have no doubt that  St Philips Hospital can provided added benefit to patients," Portelli said.

Labour media has reported Nationalist MP Francis Zammit Dimech played a key role in brokering negotiations between the government and Portelli.