Saint James Hospital is investing €36 million to offer patients the most advanced medical treatment for complex conditions and introduce the latest technology for today’s demanding and best-standard healthcare realities, the company said on Friday (today).

Jean Claude Muscat, CEO of Saint James Hospital, said this investment would enable the hospital to undertake specialised cancer surgery and intricate cardiac interventions – a first for the private healthcare sector.

Speaking during a visit by Prime Minister Robert Abela and Health Minister Joe Etienne Abela to Saint James Hospital’s state-of-art facility in Zejtun, Mr Muscat said: “We are focusing on taking private healthcare to the next level and ensuring that patients benefit from cutting-edge medical advances.”

“Our goal is to see private and national healthcare systems working together to offer increased choice, higher quality care, improved outcomes, shorter waiting times, and less cost per capita by combining our capabilities and avoiding duplication of resources for the ultimate benefit of patients and taxpayers.”

During an extensive tour of the facility, the Prime Minister met staff and praised Saint James Hospital’s investment, saying that innovations once only imagined had now become a reality.

Mr Muscat explained that until recently, patients facing complicated health conditions had little choice but to rely solely on State hospitals.

This was no longer the case, he said, as Saint James Hospital now handled a broad range of medical services – from basic consultations to complex procedures – including cardiac, orthopaedic and cancer interventions.

In addition to becoming the first private hospital in Malta to introduce pioneering robotic-assisted surgery this year, Saint James Hospital is also future-proofing its services to keep pace with today’s healthcare advancements.

Through the expansion of specialised centres and the introduction of AI-enabled diagnostics, Saint James can minimise lag time between departments and improve communication, delivering one-stop-shop solutions, faster patient processing and better outcomes.

Digital medicine is another area in which Saint James is investing heavily. In the coming months, the hospital will roll out new devices that will enable caregivers and relatives to monitor patients’ vital parameters remotely from the comfort of their homes.

This digital platform, developed through a four-year collaboration with two industry partners, will transmit patient data to a manned monitoring dashboard. If, for example, blood pressure levels rise beyond safe thresholds, the system will trigger an alert and activate a rapid response.

“We expect this technology will be a game changer, enabling elderly people to continue living at home for longer while, still receiving the necessary care, and ensuring they enjoy a good quality of life,” Mr Muscat said.

“It will also reduce healthcare costs and bed shortages, easing the burden on our national healthcare system.”

Mr Muscat stressed that stronger collaboration between the private and national healthcare systems was vital for the country’s future.

“I believe smart investment is the solution for many of Malta’s healthcare issues. This can only work through collaboration with government and as part of an overall long-term, strategic programme for our national healthcare service. Only then can we ensure a first-class healthcare service for everyone.”