Officer Simon Schembri one of the first to benefit from new prosthetics unit
Health Minister Chris Fearne and Steward Healthcare yesterday officially opened the new Orthotics and Prosthetics Unit (OPU) at St Luke’s Hospital.
Minister Fearne highlighted that the old building which housed the OPU unit was very old and out of date.
He mentioned that the previous administration wanted to turn St Luke’s into accommodation, “yet our vision was for it to be used as a hospital again.”
He said that they wanted to establish a new OPU unit. The minister explained that this new unit will serve 15,000 patients, who require prosthetics or orthotics services. “It is in a better environment and provides better services.”
The minister mentioned Simon Schembri, adding that he will be one of the first people to make use of the building where he will be fitted for prosthetics, for free.
Stephen Zammit, CEO of Karin Grech Hospital, said that this project was completed over the past few days. All the necessary tools and equipment for these services can now be found under one roof, he said.
“We are witnessing the necessary innovation needed to bring us closer to much desired improvement in the rehabilitation infrastructure. Thousands of patients have been served by these services over the years.
“We endeavoured to improve the OPU services over the past months by affecting a number of changes, since the previous dilapidated building posed health and safety issues and did not offer a dignified environment. This new building used the house the St Luke’s Hyperbaric unit.
“The new clinical areas welcome patients in a more appropriate way since dignity has been restored, also a result of having clinical and production areas on separate levels.” He said new modern infrastructure was procured, and a new prosthetic contract with a top USA provider has been ongoing for months.
He said that new amputees are being assessed more rapidly than before, owing to a Monday-to Friday prosthetics service.
He said that over the past few weeks waiting times reduced by 50% for orthotics. He said that an advisory OPU board is being setup to have feedback from stakeholders, led by a vascular surgeon from Stewards Healthcare, a government representative, a representative of Allied Health staff, a Karin Grech Management representative, one from Mater Dei Hospital, as well as a patient representative to ensure all recommendations are evaluated.