Type: Departments

Compliance and Investigations Division

Mission

Our mission is to strengthen good governance, by proactively supporting and monitoring internal stakeholders in their commitment to compliance. Through integrity, transparency, and accountability, we strive to foster a culture of risk awareness and compliance excellence across all levels of the organization.

Main functions and Responsibilities

  • Liaise with the Audit Steering Committee in order to develop and implement a robust audit approach across the Ministry by planning and designing targeted audit programs for various entities within the Ministry.
  • Prepare and submit comprehensive reports on completed audit and investigative tasks, detailing findings and recommendations for further action.
  • Oversee the execution of audit recommendations to ensure continuous improvement and adherence to compliance standards.
  • Execute planned strategies, initiatives, and operational goals in line with the Ministry’s objectives.
  • Foster a risk management culture in day-to-day operations and decision making.
  • Lead in the establishment and implementation of Policies, Procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to promote good governance, ensuring compliance with legislation, government policies, and procedural standards across the Ministry.

General Description of Documents Held

Documents held by the Compliance and Investigations Division are internal reports emanating from own investigations & fact-finding boards which are classified as confidential.

Information Management Unit

​​The Information Management Unit (Health) primary role is to ensure alignment of information technology with the Ministry’s strategic priorities. In this regard, the Unit provides support and advise to the Permanent Secretary on all Ministry ICT Matters. The Information Management Unit (Health) is managed by the Chief Information Officer Mr Euchar Sultana.

Main Competencies of the Information Management Unit (Health) include:

  • The preparation of strategic and operational ICT plans for the Ministry in line with the national ICT strategy;
  • Providing support and advice to the Permanent Secretary on the Ministry ICT matters;
  • Technical advice about the procurement and/or leasing of ICT-related equipment;
  • Co-ordinate the upgrading, development and implementation of new Information Systems;
  • Preparation of the ICT budget and the optimisation of ICT resources.

The Unit is also involved in applying Governmental-wide policies, standards and protocols which are aimed at ensuring that IT systems are mutually compatible.

Vision:

Better health for Maltese society through effective application of technology.

Mission:

At the Information Management Unit, we provide our clients, both internal and external, a high quality and efficient health care system through the delivery of technology that is intrinsic to our client’s needs;

We take pride in our ability and consistent approach to strategically support our clients whilst reducing excessive bureaucratic processes.

Values:

We are governed by the values inherent in the Maltese Public Administration, such as, Service, Courteous, Expeditiously and Impartial; Objective and Knowledgeable; Effective and Efficient. Whilst working towards achieving Excellence, being Accountable and of Integrity, ensuring the provision of a Compassionate and Inclusive customer centric service, through Empowerment and Competent use of public monies.

General Description of the Categories of Documents Held

Documents held by the Information Management Unit (Health) about governance of ICT emanate from ICT Policies, Directives, Procedures and Standards for the Government of Malta (http://ictpolicies.gov.mt).

Addressing requests in terms of the Freedom of Information Act

Members of the public requesting access to documents held by the Information Management Unit are to contact the FOI Officer on 22992379 or the Alternate FOI Officer on 25952801 or via e-mail address [email protected].

Management Support Directorate

Mission Statement

To provide the timely support to the Permanent Secretary, and on his behalf, to the various Departments, Entities, Authorities and Units within the Ministry for Health and Active Aging (Health) and also to the Minister’s Secretariat as may be required.

Strategic Objectives

The Directorate’s objective is to provide close horizontal co-operation across the various Departments, Directorates, Entities, Units and Hospitals which comprise the Ministry in direct support to the Permanent Secretary. It aims is to link up on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, work and initiatives undertaken by internal and external stakeholders and to strive to strengthen this link by providing the necessary support and facilitate and improve internal communication. The Directorate strives to assist the Permanent Secretary by anticipating issues, provide information and advice and encourages a climate wherein management and staff can work effectively together to ensure the implementation of decisions, policies and projects contribute towards the Ministry’s goals. The Directorate also strives to meet standards of excellence and increase efficiencies through the use of technology and to develop the leadership abilities and potential of its team through best practices and continuous professional development training.

Legal Office

The Legal Services Directorate

The Legal Services Directorate within the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing provides comprehensive legal assistance to the Administration, Hospitals, Health Centres, Public Health Directorate and other institutions under the same Ministry. This assistance includes but is not limited to :

  • Legal Advice
  • Drafting of Laws
  • Legal Representation in Court, Arbitration, and Tribunals
  • Drafting and Reviewing of Contracts
  • Drafting of Legal letters
  • Customer/Patients related issues

Civil Cases & Legal Services

The Legal Office handles a wide range of civil cases, including alleged breaches of administrative procedures, professional negligence, health and safety in the workplace, and industrial relations.

Investigations & Disciplinary Procedures

The office plays a crucial role in conducting internal investigations and disciplinary procedures with the same rigor as court inquiries.

Additionally, the office actively collaborates with the Customer Care Department of Mater Dei Hospital to ensure compliance with legal frameworks concerning patient data access requests.

Hospitals/Entities Related Services

The office assists in the distribution of court summons to doctors in cooperation with the Police and Court Marshals, significantly reducing the number of arrest warrants issued against medical professionals. It also oversees:

  • Applications (rikorsi) such as for Videoconferencing, Exemptions, Jury Cases, Health Inspectors) and submissions to Court
  • Court Notices
  • Management of Medical Files for Court Cases
  • Affidavits
  • Drafting of SOPs and Consent Forms
  • Register of Deaths at A&E and other locations
  • Updates of Court Cases
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Audits & Studies by Doctors
  • Temporary Suspension of Driving Licenses
  • Management of No-Show Patients
  • Public Health related issues

Other Legal Support

The office has facilitated the signing and of contracts for study grants at Mater Dei Hospital and other entities and the signing of mortgages and cancellations in collaboration with the Government Notary’s Office.

Health Informatics Division

Structure, Functions and Responsibilities

The Health Informatics Directorate focuses on health data governance, quality, privacy and reporting within the Ministry of Health and Active Aging.

The directorate is composed of the following Units:

  • Health Data Management
  • Data Governance
  • Digital Health and Data
  • Data Protection
  • Medical Records
  • Medical Illustrations

Responsibilities

  • To co-ordinate and promote health informatics across all healthcare services
  • To identify requirements in the operability of health informatics within healthcare services and give advice and recommendations
  • To collect, analyse and disseminate health information to ensure continuous monitoring, innovation and sustainability within healthcare services

General Description of the Categories of Documents Held

  • Hospital activity reports
  • Data protection procedures
  • Written and photographic clinical documentation
  • Standard Operation Procedures
  • Quality Assurance procedures and review of process workflows
  • Data governance procedures and reviews