Health Minister Chris Fearne meets with European Union of Medical Specialists

Malta’s proposal to organise postgraduate medical training on a European level was discussed between Health Minister Chris Fearne and the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) at a meeting held in Valletta this week.

The setting-up of a voluntary mechanism that provides opportunities for medical doctors in training to spend a period of time in a highly specialised centre in another European Union country, was explored. This topic has been identified as a priority area by the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, especially training in speciality treatment for patients with rare diseases.

Late-stage training for nurses, midwives and allied healthcare workers will also be considered. Both parties discussed ways in which this concept could be taken forward, possibly with the European Reference Networks serving as a hub for this development. Such organised European-wide training will benefit patients – especially in small countries like Malta where providing training for the full scope of rare conditions is very difficult. Both parties agreed to continue with their efforts to place this topic on the European agenda in the coming months.