Social worker services are being offered from Tarxien Community Clinic and Birkirkara Health Centre.
General Practitioners and all Allied Health Care, Nursing and Pharmacy professionals carrying out clinical duties working in the appointment and walk-in clinics within the Primary Health Care Department can refer to this clinic.
Referral to this clinic is through the normal Ticket of Referral which should be completely filled in with all the pertinent clinical details, including rubber stamp. Patients will have their appointment done at the reception of the community clinic/health centre noting the catchment areas below.
Patients originating from the Mosta, Birkirkara, Rabat and Gzira catchment areas should be referred to Birkirkara Health Centre and those from Cospicua, Paola, Floriana. Kirkop and Qormi catchment area to Tarxien Community Clinic. Patients will keep the ticket of referral so that they will present it at the respective appointment.
Briefly, the role of a social worker is to intervene with persons who are experiencing any form of social difficulties, including relationship problems, poverty, and substance misuse/abuse amongst others. The social worker can carry out risk /needs assessment, provide emotional support to the client and be a liaison/referral person to other professionals and services.
Some of the possible scenarios that a General practitioner may come across at the Health Centre and need to refer to the social worker are:
- Patients presenting with injuries secondary to domestic violence.
- Patients being closely monitored and dominated by their respective partner/employer.
- Children presenting with non-accidental injuries.
- Mental health patients needing support and monitoring
- Substance /alcohol misuse
- Gambling problems
- Sexual abuse
One is free to contact the social worker for any queries regarding the cases that one may be dealing with at the respective Community Clinic/Health Centre.
Working Schedule is between 7.30am and 4pm:
- Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at Tarxien Community Clinic
- Tuesday and Friday at Birkirkara Health Centre