Hospice Malta has benefitted for a funding scheme by the Maltese Council for the Voluntary Sector which it is using to provide free transport for its patients to attend the Day Therapy Unit to make use of its services.

The project, inaugurated by the Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector Julia Farrugia Portelli, includes the engagement of a professional company which will provide this service.The project will build on another one financed last year by the same scheme by means of which Hospice Malta bought new vehicles so that its professionals can offer palliative care to patients in their own home.

The total investment in the two projects amounts to around €37,000.

The services offered by Hospice Malta are various and include treatments for pain management, and the control of symptoms. They also provide psychological, emotional, social and spiritual help. Once the patient is being treated at home there is less need for them to be admitted to hospital and thus the burden on the healthcare system is lessened.

Last year alone, Hospice Malta carried out 36,000 home visits to patients who were receiving treatment from them. There were 1,500 individuals taking therapy , 900 of which were new cases.