Health Minister doesn't know what St Philip’s Hospital will be used for if purchased

 Answering parliamentary questions in parliament this evening, Minister Joe  Cassar was caught unprepared when questioned over St Philips’ Hospital.  He could confirm that negotiations were taking place to purchase St Philip’s Hospital which is owned by former PN parliamentarian Frank Portelli.

But later on he could not confirm whether the private hospital was still operating and whether it would be definitely  used as a rehabilitation medical centre.

He was quizzed by the Leader of the Opposition, Leo Brincat, Chris Cardona and Gino Chetcuti about the negotiation process.  He answered that the government had shown interest after the hospital owner had published an advert in a newspaper calling on any interested party to declare their interest in St Philip’s Hospital.

Dr Muscat taunted Cassar and asked him how he could enter into purchasing a hospital but have no clear plans of how to put it to use.

When asked what would happen to the rehabilitation medical centre in Karen Grech hospital, the minister was unable to explain the strategy behind the government’s  plans for rehabilitation.

In March of this year the government said it was considering the feasibility of buying St Philip's Hospital for use as a rehabilitation facility.

Then Joseph Cassar explained that an advert by Galea Salamone and Associates had called  for Expressions of Interest for the acquisition of property suitable for the hospitality or health sector.

He had said that the Health Ministry was planning a new facility for rehabilitation services, he had therefore proposed to the Cabinet that the government should explore the facility that was being advertised, to see if it made financial sense to acquire it instead of building a new facility.