OUR MISSION

The Treatment Abroad Committee is made up of a chairperson, twelve members, and a secretary. The Committee members are appointed by the Minister and their responsibility is to evaluate all referral forms of patients who are being recommended for further treatment overseas. Eleven of the members of the Committee are Consultants who work in different areas at Mater Dei Hospital and one member is a lay person representing the public.

The Committee is also responsible to provide clinical recommendations to the Ministry for the introduction of new services in the health care system via treatment abroad or overseas visiting consultants.

The Treatment Abroad Committee meets regularly to discuss difficult cases and other related issues. To hasten the process of approvals from TAC members, cases are now being circulated by e-mail. Cases that merit in depth discussions, are presented during the TAC meetings. Consultants from the speciality in question are also invited to attend the specific meeting.

patient Referrals Criteria

What are the criteria used by the Treatment Abroad Committee to decide upon patient referrals?

Any decisions to be taken by the TAC regarding requests for treatment abroad shall be by an agreed decision of the majority of TAC members. 

Each referral form is evaluated on the following grounds:
  • Service cannot be provided locally.
  • The case is discussed with other local Consultants in other specialties and thus it is ascertained that patient has received all possible treatment locally.
  • The service being requested is clinically proven and is not in its trial phase.
Further clinical information may be requested from local caring Consultants in order to have a clearer picture of medical aspects of the case under review. The Committee Member’s decisions are communicated to the Referring Consultants in order to guide the patient accordingly.

Committee's Terms of Refernce

The Treatment Abroad Advisory Committee (TAAC) – (previously known as the Treatment Abroad Committee – TAC) is appointed by the Minister for Health.
 
The TAAC shall be composed a Chairman, twelve members and a secretary.
 
Any decisions to be taken by the TAAC regarding requests for treatment abroad shall be by an agreed decision of the majority of TAAC members.​
The mandate and functions of the Committee shall be:
  • to set policies and criteria, including the nature and type of conditions for which treatment abroad may be considered, keeping in view medical conditions, financial constraints and community regulations;
  • to evaluate and approve or otherwise requests for treatment abroad. Such requests are to be made solely by the consultant responsible for the patient through the Clinical Chair;
  • to review established treatment or investigations normally undertaken abroad and recommend inclusion within the healthcare services provided by the Maltese public healthcare entities, as the need arises;
  • to evaluate and approve or otherwise requests for the setting up of new services locally through Visiting Consultants.