Malta faced a shortage of specialist healthcare professionals in genetic counselling, optometry, and orthoptics, leading to longer waiting times and strained healthcare services. To tackle this pressing issue, a project was launched to send trainee students to the United Kingdom for advanced training in these specialised areas.  

World-class training and research opportunities 

This initiative, funded by the European Social Fund (ESF+), aimed to bolster Malta's healthcare capacity by partnering with renowned UK institutions, including the University of Sheffield, the University of Cardiff, and City University of London. These universities are leaders in their respective fields, providing world-class training and research opportunities.

Fourteen trainees left Malta for three to four years, fully funded to cover tuition, living expenses, and travel costs. They gained expertise in diagnosing and treating eye movement disorders, offering genetic counselling, and conducting comprehensive eye examinations. 

The trainees' experiences were profoundly impactful. Martha, one of the trainees, shared her story: ‘We were fortunate to learn from top orthoptists and lecturers. This opportunity not only helped me become an orthoptist in Malta but also led to my role as the acting head of the orthoptics department at Mater Dei Hospital.’ 

Results and impact

Upon their return, the newly trained professionals made immediate contributions to Malta's healthcare system. They introduced the first genetic and genomic counselling services and significantly improved optometry and orthoptics care. 

By training new recruits and graduates through the train-the-trainer principle, they helped to ensure a sustainable increase in healthcare capacity across Malta and Gozo. 

This project has been instrumental in addressing Malta’s specialist healthcare professional shortage. By investing in advanced training, Malta’s healthcare system has seen substantial improvements in service quality and capacity. 

The success of this initiative highlights the potential for similar projects in other medical fields, ensuring a resilient and well-equipped healthcare workforce for the future.