Q1. Am I entitled to free use of the health centres?
Yes, all Maltese, E.U citizens and asylum seekers have free access to all state health centres and the Community Clinics. If you are an E.U citizen it is important to get your E111 card with you.
Q2. What are the services you offer?
The services we offer are extensive. These include: GP Services, Nursing Services, the taking of blood and other samples for Laboratory tests, Diabetes Clinic, ECG Clinic, Glaucoma Screening, Gynae and Post-Natal Clinic, Medical Consultant Clinic, Immunisation, Ophthalmic Clinic, Physiotherapy Clinic, Podiatry Clinic, Psychiatric Clinic, Schedule V Clinic, Speech Language Clinic, Well Baby Clinic, Wound Review Clinic, X-Ray Service.
Anti-coagulant Clinic, Kidney Disease Management Clinic, Orthopaedic Clinic, Natural Procreative Technology Clinic and a Skin Tag Clinic are also available in some health centres (see individual health centres).
Q3. Can I choose which Health Centre to go to for a particular service?
Yes, but it is best to choose the Health Centre for your catchment area for a more seamless service. In an emergency you can attend the closest to you.
Q4. How do I know which health centre to attend or call?
- Mosta Health Centre caters for residents of the following localities: Mosta (Bidnija), Naxxar (Birguma, Maghtab, Salina, Bahar ic-Caghaq), San Pawl il-Bahar (Bugibba, Qawra, Xemxija, Ghajn Tuffieha,Wardija, Pwales), Mellieha (Selmun, Ghadira, Marfa, Cirkewwa), Manikata, Burmarrad, Mgarr (Zebbiegh), Gharghur (Xwieki).
- Rabat Health Centre caters for residents of the following localities: Rabat, Mdina, Mtarfa, Dingli, Attard, Bahrija and Kuncizzjoni.
- Birkirkara Health Centre caters for residents of the following localities: Birkirkara, Iklin, Lija and Balzan.
- Floriana Health Centre caters for residents of the following localities: Pieta', G'Mangia, Valletta, Floriana, Hamrun, Sta. Venera, Marsa, Zurrieq, Safi, Luqa, Mqabba, Qrendi, Kirkop and Hal-Far (L/O Zurrieq).
- Gzira Health Centre caters for residents of the following localities: Msida, Ta' Xbiex, Gzira, Sliema, Kappara, San Gwann, Swatar, Madliena, Taz-Zwejt, St. Julian's, Swieqi, L-Ibrag, St. Andrew's, Pembroke, High Ridge and Victoria Gardens.
- Qormi Health Centre caters for residents of the following localities: Qormi, Zebbug, Mriehel (towards Qormi)
and Siggiewi.
- Paola (Rahal Gdid) Health Centre caters for residents of the following localities: Paola, Tarxien, Sta. Lucia, Birzebbuga, Zejtun, Marsaxlokk, Zabbar, Marsascala, Xghajra, Fgura, Gudja, Ghaxaq, Benghajsa.
- Cospicua (Bormla) Health Centre caters for residents of the following localities: Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Kalkara.
- Kirkop Health Centre caters for residents of the following localities: Hal Far, Hal Farrug, Hal Kirkop, Hal Safi, Hal Luqa, L-Imqabba, Il-Qrendi, Iz-Zurrieq.
Q5. How can I find the way to my health centre, what are the opening times and what is the telephone number?
- Mosta Health Centre is situated in Pjazza tar-Rotunda. Opens 24 x 7.
- Rabat Health Centre is situated in Civic Centre, Triq San Kataldu. Opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. From 8 p.m to 8 a.m, and on Sundays and Public holidays one has to attend Mosta Health Centre.
- Birkirkara Health Centre is situated in Triq Tumas Fenech. Opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. It is closed during the night and on Saturdays from 1pm till the following Monday 8am. It is also closed on public holidays. During these hours one has to attend Mosta Health Centre.
- Floriana Health Centre is situated in Triq Frangisk Saver Fenech. Opens 24 x 7.
- Gzira Health Centre is situated in Pjazza Meme' Scicluna. Opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm. Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays from 8am to 5pm. From 8pm to 8am one has to attend Floriana Health Centre.
- Qormi Health Centre is situated in Triq il-Vitorja. Opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. It is closed during the night and on Saturdays from 1pm till the following Monday 8am. It is also closed on public holidays. During these hours one has to attend Floriana Health Centre.
- Paola Health Centre is situated in Pjazza Antoine De Paule. Opens 24 x 7.
- Cospicua Health Centre is situated in Triq Ljun. Opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. It is closed during the night and from Saturdays 1pm till the following Monday 8am. It is also closed on public holidays. During these hours one has to attend Paola Health Centre.
- Kirkop Health Centre is situated in Triq Danny Cremona. Opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. It is closed during the night and from Saturdays 1pm till the following Monday 8am. It is also closed on public holidays. During these hours one has to attend Paola Health Centre.
Call Centre Telephone Number - 21231231
Q6. What do I have to do to see a doctor?
At present, seeing a GP in the health centres does not
require an appointment or pre notification except for specialised clinics.
However, one can book an appointment to see a GP in one of
the community clinics by phoning on 21231231 or 21222444.
This GP appointment service provides the possibility for the
patient/client to be offered first-contact access with comprehensive and coordinated
care. Regular follow-up as required, by the same group of doctors, is also a
strong characteristic of this service.
Common services that can be accessed via this appointment
clinic include:
o health
checks and reviews (blood pressure, review of diabetes patients etc.),
o booking
of blood investigations (and in certain community clinics also the actual blood
letting procedure) and
o referrals
for radiological (X-rays) investigations.
The Community Clinics also allow for a multi-disciplinary
approach in which the GP can discuss with and/or refer to other health care
professionals (nurse, physiotherapist, podiatrist and speech language
pathologist). It is important to note that the GP in the community clinic
is also an excellent first point of contact for any mental health needs that a
client/patient might have.
Q7. Do I have to register with a doctor or a group of GP doctors?
No, there is no need to yet.
Q8. Will the same doctor see me each time I attend?
Unfortunately,
this cannot be guaranteed in the health centres, due to the doctors’ shift and
since there is no appointment system in place. However, the Electronic Patient
Record system allows all GPs to view your medical file and consequently ensure
continuity of care.
On the other
hand, the same pool of doctors will be seeing you if you make use of the GP
appointment system in the PHC Community Clinics.
Q9. Can I ask for a home visit?
If you feel you need a house visit please contact the Telemedicine Centre on 21222444. A doctor will be able to assist you by asking some relevant medical questions. The doctor can then decide whether to pass on the visit to the nearest Health Centre if a home visit is deemed necessary.
It is very important to give the full and correct address and make sure you leave your telephone number.
Q10. Do I have to make an appointment before I come?
Please refer to Q6. above.
Q11. Do I get a free prescription?
If you are in a possession of a Pink or Yellow (Chronic Treatment) card then you will be entitled for free medication according to an entitlement policy.
Q12. Do you have a pharmacy open 24Hr?
No. There are two state pharmacies, one at Floriana and one at Paola Health Centre that open Monday to Friday 7.45am to 2pm and Saturdays till 12pm. They cater mainly for prescriptions of acute treatment to those entitled for free medication such as pink card holders.
It is important to bring with you the ID card, prescriptions and any other relevant documents such as a valid Schedule V, Schedule 2 or POYC scheme card.
Our pharmacy contact numbers are Floriana: 21220740 and Paola: 21664890
Q13. Where can I make a complaint?
Every health centre has an administrator Nursing Officer and Doctor (Principle General Practitioner) you can log your complaint with during office hours either by telephone or a visit on site. Complaints can also be logged through email on customercare.phc@gov.mt , our staff will be very willing to help you.
Q14. Do you have a privacy policy?
Yes we have. We take Data Protection very seriously so one can put his mind to rest that personal data is very well cared for and secured. You can ask a copy of our privacy policy from the administration staff of every health centre.
Q15. Can I have a copy of the medical notes/x-rays/blood results at the health centre?
Yes you can. Our administration staff will provide you with the necessary form to fill in your request.
Q16. What services do you offer at the Community Clinics?
At the Community
Clinics (previously called Berga), PHC offers GP and Nurse Appointment clinics
as well as Appointment Clinics with other health care professionals like
Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and Speech Language Pathologists.
Q17. Can I attend on my own to see a doctor even if I am 16 or under?
Doctors prefer that young patients 16 and under are accompanied by a legal guardian but in certain circumstances the doctor, after assessing your level of maturity and understanding, may decide to see you usually in the presence of a colleague doctor or nurse.
Q18. What do I have to take with me when I visit the health centre?
You must always take with you your Identity Card or any other form of legal documentation such as a passport, driving licence etc. If you have, do not forget to take your appointment book or other relevant documents such as treatment cards, hospital discharge letters, drug control cards, Schedule V (yellow card) or even the medicine itself. Our doctors and nurses will find them very useful to manage your condition. Do not forget to alert our staff if you are allergic to some medicines like Penicillin.
If you are an E.U citizen it is important to get your E111 card with you.
Q19. Where can I find more information?
The Primary HealthCare has invested a lot of time and effort in creating a most informative and helpful website including a Facebook profile, a section dedicated to patient education and forms one can access and download. All you have to do is google "Primary HealthCare Malta" and it takes you right to our website link. Or else copy and paste: primaryhealthcare.gov.mt in your browser address bar.