As a former family doctor, I have often seen the hidden toll of acute hospitalisation on Malta’s elderly. Patients who lived independently in the community sometimes emerge weakened, needing greater family support or even residential care, despite being medically “cured.” This is not just a clinical issue. True care for our elders means more than keeping them alive. It means enabling them to live with dignity, autonomy, and connection to their communities.

This conviction underpins the Government’s vision for Active Ageing and the new Intermediate Care Hospital at St Vincent de Paul (SVP).

The facility is a specialised geriatric hospital focused on the complex co-morbidities and complications common in older age conditions that can easily be overlooked in the fast-paced acute setting of Mater Dei Hospital. A dedicated team of geriatricians, nurses, and multidisciplinary professionals delivers holistic care that restores function and wellbeing, not merely treats illness.

SVP has evolved significantly in recent years. From a long-term residence into a modern centre of excellence. It now features state-of-the-art imaging, an outpatient day hospital, a renal unit, a palliative care ward, and a soon-to-open psychogeriatric unit.

A successful pilot of around 40 beds has already proven the model’s value. Elderly patients needing intermediate medical intervention, more than primary care but less than acute hospitalisation can be admitted directly. Key benefits include:

* Bypassing the emergency department;

* Finer, personalised management of co-morbid conditions;

* Significantly higher rates of discharge back to the community (approximately 80% in early assessments, with many more returning home safely with support).

Crucially, the model fosters direct collaboration between family physicians and geriatricians. The GP brings deep knowledge of the patient’s history and home environment; the geriatrician contributes specialised expertise in ageing. This seamless liaison ensures continuity of care on admission, during the stay, and after discharge, leading to better clinical outcomes, greater professional satisfaction, and improved quality of life for patients and families.

Plans are now advancing to expand this into a full 300-bed Intermediate Care Hospital. This investment reduces pressure on acute beds, prevents avoidable institutionalisation, and strengthens community-based care.

In an ageing Malta, we reject the notion that our elders are a burden. Instead, we see them as valued citizens deserving of excellence in care. The Intermediate Care Hospital translates our philosophy of solidarity and human dignity into concrete action, honouring those who built our nation by supporting them to age actively and with respect.

This Government remains committed to building a health and social care system that matches our values: compassionate, integrated, and focused on what truly matters – helping every older person live well.

As Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing, I am proud to champion this transformative project alongside my colleagues in Health and Active Ageing. Our elders cared for us. It is now our duty and privilege to care for them with foresight and humanity.

Author: Hon. Malcolm Paul Agius Galea
Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing