Secondary Healthcare Services underpins Malta’s regional healthcare hub model for ambulatory specialist care, bridging services delivered through health centres and acute hospitals so that appropriate care can be provided closer to where people live. The Department coordinates regional healthcare hubs and multidisciplinary services that complement national hospital services by improving access to specialist consultations, diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation and day-case care in a community-oriented setting.
The Department works across Malta’s public health system, including Primary HealthCare, Mater Dei Hospital, Mental Health Services and other service providers, to support safe, coordinated and patient-centred care pathways. Its role includes service planning, operational readiness, service onboarding, facility and resource coordination, quality and safety systems, patient support processes and continuous improvement.
Secondary Healthcare Services is guided by the principle of delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time. As services develop, the Department will continue to strengthen regional capacity, support digital and operational integration, improve patient experience and contribute to a more resilient, accessible and sustainable public health system.
Regional hubs
As from July 2025 the Ċensu Moran Regional Healthcare Hub in Paola started providing a growing platform for specialist outpatient, diagnostic, treatment, rehabilitation and day-case services. The Hub supports the southern region and helps complement acute hospital services by providing appropriate ambulatory care closer to the community.
Preparatory work has also started to construct a multi-modality clinic in Qawra that will further strengthen the regional hub model and will offer services for the residents of the northern region of Malta.
Key responsibilities
- Plan, coordinate and operate regional healthcare hubs and ambulatory specialist services.
- Bridge service provision between health centres, primary care, hospital-based services and other public health providers.
- Support safe service onboarding, clinical and operational readiness, service agreements, patient information and quality measures.
- Coordinate facilities, workforce, logistics, patient support, IT requirements, quality assurance and continuous improvement processes.
- Promote accessible, reliable, responsive and patient-centred care through clear information, service standards, feedback and complaints mechanisms.
