Bart’s Medical School: demolition works now completed after discovery of Roman trenches

Demolition works for the muchanticipated Bart’s medical school has now been completed following the discovery of Roman trenches.

A spokesperson for Vitals Global Healthcare, the company that entered a deal with government for the part privatisation of various hospitals, confirmed that works had been halted due to the discovery of the Roman trenches.

A statement issued back in March said demolition had started and should take eight weeks to be completed. Due to the discovery however, works had to be halted. The demolition phase is now over as well as piling works, the spokesperson confirmed.

The school is expected to be completed come April, while the building of the new Gozo general hospital is underway.

Controversy emerged during the last legislature due to the redacted contracts presented to parliament by the government, with the opposition accusing the ruling side of not following the principle of transparency.

Back in February, the Planning Authority approved the full development permission application for the new Barts medical school at the Gozo General Hospital.

The project had been recommended for approval by the case officer, and the application was filed by Vitals Global Healthcare Management Ltd.

This full development permission application proposes the demolition of existing structures within the Gozo General Hospital grounds and the construction of a medical school that includes lecture halls, theatres and classes, seminar rooms, a computer lab, a library, a canteen, meeting rooms, shower and changing facilities for students and staff, and staff offices.

Despite the go-ahead from the Planning Authority, the project is still under the Opposition’s lens, as details on the commercial agreements between the government and Barts are yet unknown. Economy Minister Chris Cardona had said in parliament that he is not in a position to divulge details on the commercial arrangement between Malta Enterprise and Barts Medical School for the latter’s use of the Gozo Sixth Form.

Riddled with secrecy, the project was still praised by many who feel that the government is embarking on the project to improve the quality of healthcare in Gozo.