A telephone based service for people thinking of seeking care at the Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital.
Helps patients quickly understand the safest and most appropriate place to receive
care.
Important: In a life-threatening emergency always call 112 immediately.
Typical situations NOT suitable (call 112 instead):
- Chest pain suggestive of heart attack
- Stroke symptoms
- Severe breathing difficulty
- Unconsciousness
- Major trauma or heavy bleeding
How the service works
Nurses, fluent in both Maltese and English, trained in telephone assessment and clinical triage answer your call. The patient experiencing the symptoms must always spoken to directly.
If your GP has just examined you, he/she can make the call on your behalf.
Structed medical assessment questions are used to evaluate your symptoms.
Based on your answers, you are guided to the most appropriate healtcare service available at the time
What information you should have ready before calling
- ID number
- Current symptoms and how long they have been present
- Known medical conditions
- Current/recent pregnancy
- Current/recent medications
- Recent injuries, procedures, or travel
Possible outcomes
- Referral to a Healthcare Centre
- Call transferred to another more appropriate helpline.
- Referral to participating private hospitals (expenses covered by the Government)
- Advice to attend the Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital
- Call transferred to 112 if necessary.
What the helpline cannot do
- Cannot prescribe medication.
- Cannot issue medical certificates.
- Cannot book/bring forward routine specialist appointments.
- Does not replace your family doctor for ongoing care.
Availability
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Eligibility
Intended for patients aged 16–75 years. Patients outside this age range should consider contacting the Primary Healthcare Helpline: 21231231
Patients entitled to free healthcare.
Contact: [email protected]