Government invests €10.5 million in new Hospice Unit to strengthen palliative care

Workers and patients in Malta are set to benefit from a major investment in palliative care, as the government has committed €10.5 million over three years to support specialist services at St Michael Hospice.

The funding will finance the In-Patient Unit at St Michael Hospice, a newly inaugurated 16-bed facility designed to provide specialist care for patients with serious and progressive illnesses.

Health and Active Ageing Minister Jo Etienne Abela and Hospice Malta Chairperson Bernadette Bonnici Kind attended the inauguration.

Hospice Malta has long provided free palliative care services to patients suffering from conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease, advanced respiratory and heart illnesses, kidney and liver disease, multiple sclerosis, and other rare conditions. The new unit is expected to significantly enhance these services, a statement said.

The facility includes 16 private rooms, each with en-suite facilities and access to private gardens, designed to create a home-like environment focused on comfort and dignity.

Care at the unit follows a holistic approach, addressing not only medical needs but also the emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing of patients and their families, it said.

Minister Abela said the development represents a key step in strengthening patient-centred care in Malta.

He explained that the unit will provide short-term care for patients with complex needs, particularly focusing on symptom management and end-of-life care while maintaining respect for patients’ dignity.

The services will be delivered by a specialised clinical team trained to provide comprehensive care, combining pain management with broader support for both patients and their loved ones.

Abela described the investment as part of a wider government commitment to improving palliative care services, noting that recent efforts have focused on better integration of healthcare systems, increased accessibility, and stronger collaboration with voluntary organisations.

He added that the goal remains to improve quality of life through compassionate, high-quality care, ensuring that all patients who require palliative support receive it effectively.

Bernadette Bonnici Kind said the opening of the unit marks the realisation of a long-held vision for Hospice Malta.

She expressed gratitude to the public, the government, the Archdiocese of Malta, the Health Ministry and benefactors for their support in bringing the project to completion.

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