Joe Cassar passed on hospital management report to Mater Dei’s CEO – PN

Former health minister Joe Cassar has denied ignoring €1 million hospital management report carried out by the John Hopkins University and commissioned by the previous government.

According to the Nationalist Party, the report had been passed on to Mater Dei Hospital's Chief Executive Officer for implementation.

Yesterday, Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia claimed the report had been ignored by the previous administration.

The PN said the report was carried out after a specific request was made by the previous government in order to address the patients' needs.

"The report was approved by the PN administration and passed on to the hospital's CEO for its implementation," the PN said, adding that the CEO had initiated the implementation process.

"He passed on the part of the report relating to the Emergency Department to its management. Meanwhile, the management had been given the support and authority to start implementing the suggestions and recommendations."

The PN said one should appreciate the challenges that afflict the department and the high request for services, human resources, and bed space.

The PN said the previous administration worked hard in the sector, so much so that Mater Dei enjoyed the highest number of doctors, nurses and consultants working at the emergency department.

The party said there were also an increase in bed spaces and an expansion of services in the primary sector to alleviate the burden from MDH.

"All this contradicts the government's accusation and shows that the old government had followed the recommendations made by the Hopkins University.

"The current administration should not resort to banal excuses to cover up for its failures. One hopes that the Labour government continues working on the recommendations made," the PN said.