Malta’s First Hospice Complex Heading Steadily Towards Completion
Works on Malta’s first Hospice Complex for palliative care services are nearly complete and it is
expected that the project will become fully operational by end 2023. The Board of Governors and
Chief Executive Officer of the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF) visited the premises
and witnessed the extensive works that have been completed over the past months.
Located in the former Adelaide Cini Institute in Santa Venera, the 11,000sqm complex was
previously owned by the Church but was formally handed over to Hospice Malta in 2019. By means
of an agreement signed between the Fund and Hospice Malta last year, NDSF will co-fund the
project by means of a social grant of €8 million. To-date, most of the civil works have been
completed and works on the finishing are now underway.
The St Michael Hospice Palliative Care Centre will include an In-Patient unit, which will provide more
In-Patient palliative care services to patients with life limiting illnesses. The present-day therapy
services offered by Hospice Malta will be expanded to increase its outreach programme within the
community, and two medical Out-Patient clinics will be introduced. Furthermore, Hospice will keep
on consolidating the professional team within the community to further support patients and their
families. St. Michael Hospice will also enhance its educational wing, which will facilitate the
exchange of expertise with other Hospice facilities across the world.
Whilst the building’s original architectural characteristics were preserved and restored, the complex
has been made fully accessible for all mobility requirements. The rooms are designed in a way that
allows patients to access the garden area from their room. The complex will also host a hydrotherapy
bath and a physiotherapy area, among other facilities.
The NDSF Board members and CEO Mr. Raymond Andrew Ellul, were met by Hospice Malta’s
Chairperson, Ms. Bernadette Bonnici Kind, its Chief Executive Officer Mr Kenneth Delia, Chief
Relations Officer Mr. Andrew Zammit and Project Coordinator, Ms. Lora Cascun.
“The Fund’s substantial financial contribution towards this project demonstrates its commitment
towards funding projects of national importance which are in the public’s best interest”, said Mr
Ellul. “St. Michael Hospice will ensure that all patients are treated with dignity and that their
families, find the necessary support during the most difficult moments of their lives in an ambience
of professional service and in a spirit of compassion”, he concluded.
Ms. Bonnici Kind held that the new St Michael Hospice is the natural progression of Hospice Malta’s
33-year service in the community, towards further enhancing its free of charge holistic support to patients and their families. “Hospice is grateful that this effort has been recognized as a project of
National importance for the benefit of this and future generations”, said Ms Bonnici Kind.