Opposition MP warns government against privatising mental healthcare

Shadow health minister Claudette Buttigieg urged the government not to privatise mental health services, warning that it has been a “total failure” in countries like the UK.

“The health minister recently indicated that it might be privatised, but I warn him here not to go down that route,” she said in her parliamentary adjournment. “People with psychiatric disorders are the most vulnerable patients in the country. While some MPs may close their eyes to the privatisation of general health services, they will not close their eyes to the privatisation of mental health services. If the government has made a secret deal to privatise it, I will warn you from now that the Opposition will not accept it.”

Health minister Chris Fearne told MaltaToday in February that the government plans to issue a request for proposals for the construction of a new mental health hospital – and the refurbishment of Mount Carmel, whose costs are expected to run into the tens of millions.

He said it will take the form of a public-private partnership, “similar to the investment in the St Luke’s, Karin Grech and Gozo hospitals”. 

Buttigieg said that any new mental health hospital should be smaller than Mount Carmel and should be part and parcel of Mater Dei, such as the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Hospital.

She also called for more urgent reforms, such as the extension of Mater Dei’s crisis intervention unit into a 24/7 service, and the introduction of more mental health emergency services at Mater Dei.