The Maltese Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN), a member of EFN, proposed project on continuity of care (with the objective at reducing the number of patients in the corridors of Mater Dei Hospital – see EFN Press Release) has been approved. As such, the EU is ready to fund Malta 1.2 million euros from the European and Structural Cohesion Funds (ESF) for this project, which aims at: implementing integrated care systems promoting continuity of care based on proactive and personalised community/home-based care; improving the health status and quality of life of the targeted population; and supporting the long-term sustainability and efficiency of the healthcare system in the region targeted. Paul Pace, MUMN’s President, stressed that “such project is very essential to Mater Dei Hospital since it will not only reduce financial expenses within the health sector but could also save patients from remaining on stretchers in various holding bays”. Such project has already been adopted by five European countries and MUMN is in contact with other European countries (namely Spain and Greece) who like Malta, are applying to such project. The EFN is very happy this project has been adopted, as it has pushed for several years (See also EFN Press Release “EU Workforce for Health – A Concrete Case“) for the use of Structural Cohesion Funds (SCF) to empower nurses in the health system reform. The EFN General Secretary stated that “Malta puts now flesh on the bones! As such the European Innovative Partnership starts getting a meaning for the people working in the field. Nevertheless, this is just the start of a multidisciplinary process”.
Read also:
– “EU approves project for early discharge of hospital patients” (timesofmalta.com)
– “Early hospital discharge project approved” (maltatoday.com.mt)