Specialist Accreditation Committee · Substitute: Dr. Agnes Portelli MD, MCEM(UK) 7 ASSOCIATION OF ORTHOPAEDIC AND TRAUMA SURGEONS OF MALTA Representative: Mr. Thomas Azzopardi MD,

1

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

MEDICAL SPECIALIST

ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE

MALTA

YEAR 2018

2

Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee

SLH – OPD (Level 1)

St. Luke’s Square,

G’Mangia

Malta.

Tel: +356 21255538

e-mail: [email protected]

https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/regcounc/msac/Pages/msac.aspx

March 2019

https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/regcounc/msac/Pages/msac.aspx

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Contents

Foreword by the Chairperson of the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee (MSAC) 4

1. Functions of the Specialist Accreditation Committee (SAC) 5

2. Composition of the SAC 5

3. List of Members and Substitutes of the MSAC 6

4. Meetings and Attendances 9

5. Applications received by the MSAC 10

6. Applications approved for the issue of the Certificate of

Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) and recommendation

for inclusion in the Specialist Register 12

7. Applications approved for recommendation for inclusion

in the Specialist Register 13


Completion of Basic Specialist Training (CCBST) 14

9. Approval of specialisation training to be pursued abroad 14

10. Approval of Postgraduate Training Programmes 15

11. General Data Protection Regulation (GPDR) 15

12. Meeting with Prof. Charmaine Gauci, Superintendent of 16

Public Health

13. LN 23 of 2018 – Health Care Professions Act (HCPA)

(Amendment of Fourth and Fifth Schedules) Regulations, 2018 16

14. Recommendation for amendments to Annex V of the

Directive 2005/36/EC 17

15. LN 390 of 2018 – HCPA (Amendment of Third, Fourth and

Fifth Schedules) Regulations, 2018 17

16. Appeal Cases 18

17. Conclusion 20

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Foreword

It is with great pleasure that I am presenting this Annual Report as Chairperson of the

Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee (MSAC). It was a year where the MSAC

continued to meet regularly to ensure that applications for approval for the issue of the

Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training in the various Specialities, and

recommendations for inclusion in the Specialist Registers, are evaluated and approved

effectively and in a timely manner.

This year was again characterised with consideration for amendments to Medical

Specialist Training Programmes. The MSAC had the pleasure to approve a new

Postgraduate Training Programme in Cardiology, duly prepared by the Maltese

Cardiac Society. This programme replaced a less detailed one that was included with

the various Postgraduate Training Programmes under the Adult Medical Specialities.

The Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee continues to keep abreast with

changes that are being considered in EU fora in relation to Annex V of the EU

Directive 2005/36/EC that constitutes the nomenclature of the formal qualifications in

basic medical training and of specialised doctors and the Titles of training courses of

medical specialities in the EU Member States.

The various successes and challenges overcome could not be achieved if not for the

wholehearted cooperation and contribution from all the Committee members, who

always were there to help, suggest and promote new ideas, throughout all the meetings

held. Furthermore, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Ms Gillian Mifsud,

our Registrar, whose sterling work, support and dedication to the Committee is greatly

appreciated and noted.

I am convinced that in the coming year the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee will continue to play its role and serve as a think tank for the medical

profession in improving their practice and specialization. The MSAC is pleased to

have been asked to submit proposals for amendments to the Health Care Professions

Act and looks forward to active involvement in the drafting of the new Act.

Prof. Stephen Fava MD, MRCP(UK), FACP,

FEFIM, FRCP(Lond), MPhil(Melit), PhD(Exeter)

Chairperson


March 2019

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1. Functions of the Specialist Accreditation Committee

The Specialist Accreditation Committee is established by Art. 30 of the Health

Care Professions Act 2003 (Chap. 464)

Article 30 (6) (a) specifies that the functions of the Specialist Accreditation

Committee shall be:-

To issue Certificates of Completion of Specialist Training in the specialities

listed in the relevant part of the Fifth Schedule, upon the fulfilment of

criteria recommended by the relevant Professional Associations listed in the

Fourth Schedule within three months from the date of receipt of the

application or from the day any documentation which the Committee may

request, whichever is the later;

To advise the Minister and the relevant Council on issues concerning

Specialist Training and registration, and any other matter that may be

referred to it;

To act as the advisory body for training in any of the special areas of

practice;

To accredit post-graduate training programmes;

To levy such fees for accreditation, as may be prescribed.

2. Composition of the Specialist Accreditation Committee

In accordance with Article 30 (2) of the Health Care Professions Act, the

Specialist Accreditation Committee shall be composed of the following

members:-

a) One member appointed by the relevant Council;

b) One member, not being a member of the relevant Council, appointed by the

Dean of the relevant Faculty or Director of the relevant Institute of the

University of Malta;

c) One member, not being a member of the relevant Council, appointed by the

Superintendent of Public Health;

d) One member, not being a member of the relevant Council, appointed by each

of the relevant Professional Associations.

The members of the Specialist Accreditation Committee shall be so appointed

for a term of three years, and may be re-appointed for a further term or terms.

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The members of the Specialist Accreditation Committee shall, every three

years, elect a Chairperson from among themselves.

3. List of Members and Substitutes of the Medical Specialist

Accreditation Committee

In 2018 the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee was composed as

follows:

Chairperson

Prof. Stephen Fava MD, MRCP(UK), FACP, FEFIM, FRCP(Lond),

MPhil(Melit), PhD(Exeter)

Members and the Body Represented

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Dr. Anton Grech MD, PhD(Maas), MSc(Psych)(Lond), FRCPsych(UK)

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY (UNIVERSITY OF MALTA)

Representative: Mr. Mark Schembri MD, LRCP, LRCS, LRCPS, FRCS

Substitute: Prof. Josanne Vassallo MD(Malta), MSc(Lond), Dr med

(Munster), MRCP(UK), FRCP(Lond), FACP, FACE, PhD

MEDICAL COUNCIL

Representative: Dr. Brian Flores Martin MD, MMCFD, CertDiab(ICGP)

Substitute: Dr. Michael J. Boffa MD, FRCP(Lond), FRCP(Edin),

MSc(Derm)(Lond), DDerm(Lond), DGUM(Lond)

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF MALTA

Representative: Prof. Stephen Fava MD, MRCP(UK), FACP, FEFIM,

FRCP(Lond), M.Phil(Melit), PhD(Exeter)

Substitute: Dr. Martin Balzan MD, MRCP(UK), FRCP(Lond), FEFIM

ASSOCIATION OF ANAESTHESIOLOGISTS OF MALTA

Representative: Dr. Noel Borg MD, DESA, PGClinUS

Substitute: Dr. Paul Calleja MD, DESA

ASSOCIATION OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS OF MALTA

Representative: Dr. Anna Spiteri MD, Dip.IMC RCSEd, FRCSEd(A&E)

Substitute: Dr. Agnes Portelli MD, MCEM(UK)

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ASSOCIATION OF ORTHOPAEDIC AND TRAUMA SURGEONS

OF MALTA

Representative: Mr. Thomas Azzopardi MD, FRCS, FRCSEd(Tr&Orth),

MSc(OrthopEngin)

Substitute: Mr. Raymond Gatt MD, LRCP, LRCPS, LRCS, FRCS(Edin),

FRCS(UK)

ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIANS OF MALTA

Representative: Vacant

Substitute: Vacant

ASSOCIATION OF SURGEONS OF MALTA

Representative: Prof. Joseph Galea MD, MD (Sheffield), MRCS & LRCP

(Edinburgh), LRCPS (Glasgow), FRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS (CTh), FETCS

(Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery)

Substitute: Mr. Gordon Caruana Dingli MD, LRCS (Edinburgh), LRCP

(Edinburgh), LRCP&S (Glasgow), FRCS (Edinburgh), FRCSRCP&S

(Glasgow)

GERIATRIC MEDICINE SOCIETY OF MALTA

Representative: Dr. Mark Anthony Vassallo MD, FRCP(Edin), FRCP(Lond),

DGM(Lond), MA(Melit) Bioethics

Substitute: Dr. John Cordina MD, FRCP(Edin), CCT(GIM/GER)

MALTA ASSOCIATION OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY

Representative: Dr. Lawrence Scerri MD, FRCP(Lond), FRCP(Glasg), CCST

Derm (UK)

Substitute: Dr. Susan Aquilina MD, FRCP(UK)

MALTA ASSOCIATION OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

Representative: Mr. Francis Carbonaro MD, PhD(Lond), FRCOphth,

CCT(UK)

Substitute: Vacant

MALTA ASSOCIATION OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGISTS AND

HEAD AND NECK SURGEONS AND ALLIED SPECIALITIES

Representative: Dr. Hermann Borg Xuereb MD, MA (Bioethics), FRCS (Ed),

FRCS (Ed)(ENT), FRCS (Eng)(ENT), DLO (until 9th October 2018)

Representative: Dr. Alison Abdilla MD, MRCS, DO-HNS, EBE, ORL-HNS,

MSc Cancer Therapeutics (Lond) (appointed from Substitute to Representative on

10th October 2018)

Substitute: Mr. John Cutajar MD, MRCS, DO-HNS, FEB ORL-HNS, MSc(Aud) (appointed on 10th October 2018)

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MALTA ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICINE

Representative: Dr. Christine Baluci MD, MSc

Substitute: Dr. Mariella Borg Buontempo MD, MSc (Newcastle), FFPH

(UK), CCST(UK)

MALTA COLLEGE OF FAMILY DOCTORS

Representative: Dr. Edward Zammit MD, MMCFD, MRCGP(INT)

Substitute: Vacant

MALTA COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS & GYNAECOLOGISTS

Representative: Prof. Raymond Galea MD, FRCOG, Acc Spec O&G(Leuven),

PhD

Substitute: Dr Katia Vella MD, MRCOG

MALTA COLLEGE OF PATHOLOGISTS Representative: Dr. Bridget Ellul MBChB, MRCPath, FRCPath

Substitute: Dr. Christopher Barbara MD, MSc(Lond), DLSHTM, FMCPath

MALTESE ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRY

Representative: Prof. David Mamo MD, MSc (Lond), MS (UoT), FRCPC,

Dip ABPN General Adult & Geriatric Psychiatry

Substitute: Dr. Etienne Muscat MD, Dip ABPN (until 29th March 2018)

Substitute: Dr. Nigel Camilleri MD (Melit.), MD (Newcastle), MRCPsych (UK),

CCT (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry), DCP (IRE) (appointed as from 30th March

2018)

MALTESE ASSOCIATION OF RADIOLOGISTS AND NUCLEAR

MEDICINE PHYSICIANS

Representative: Dr. Ruben Depasquale MD, MRCSEd, FRCR

Substitute: Dr. Adrian Mizzi MD, MRCP, FRCR, EDiR

MALTESE CARDIAC SOCIETY

Representative: Dr. Robert Xuereb MD, FRCP(Lond), FRCP(Edin),

FESC, FACC

Substitute: Dr. Alex Borg MD, MD(Manchester), MRCP, FESC

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MALTESE PAEDIATRIC ASSOCIATION Representative: Dr. Paul Soler MD, MRCP, MRCPCH (until 28

th October

2018)

Representative: Dr Patrick Sammut MD, MRCPCH MSc Allergy (appointed

as from 29th October 2018)

Substitute: Dr. Doriette Soler MD, MRCP, MSc(Public Health) (until 28th

October 2018)

Substitute: Dr. Paul Soler MD, MRCP, MRCPCH (as from 28th October 2018)

Registrar

Ms. Gillian Mifsud Dip Public Mangt

4. Meetings and Attendances

i. During 2018 the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee held eight (8)

meetings, all of which were of an administrative nature.

ii. Prof. Stephen Fava as Chairperson of the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee attended all the meetings of the Committee.

Institution Present Excused

Representative of the

Superintendent of Public Health 4 4

Representative of the Faculty of

Medicine and Surgery 7 1

Representative of the Medical

Council 4 4

Medical Association of Malta 8 -

Association of Anaesthesiologists

of Malta 7 1

Association of Emergency

Physicians of Malta 8 -

Association of Orthopaedic and

Trauma Surgeons of Malta 5 3

Association of Physicians of Malta Vacant -

Association of Surgeons of Malta 6 2

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Geriatric Medicine Society of

Malta 8 -

Malta Association of Dermatology

and Venereology 8 -

Malta Association of

Ophthalmologists 2 6

Malta Association of

Otorhinolaryngologists and Head

and Neck Surgeons and Allied

Specialists

8 -

Malta Association of Public Health

Medicine 8 -

Malta College of Family Doctors 1 7

Malta College of Obstetricians &

Gynaecologists 6 2

Malta College of Pathologists 7 1

Maltese Association of Psychiatry 5 3

Maltese Association of Radiologists

and Nuclear Medicine Physicians 7 1

Maltese Cardiac Society 5 3

Maltese Paediatric Association 2 6

5. Applications received by the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee

During the year 2018, the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee received

the following new applications from Maltese Nationals, European Union

Citizens and Non European Union Citizens who have pursued their

specialisation training locally and abroad.

A total of 77 applications were received for the following specialities:

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Specialisation No. of applications

Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine 8

Baromedicine 1

Cardio-Thoracic Surgery 1

Community Paediatrics 1

Dermatology 1

Dermato-Venereology 2

Emergency Medicine 1

Endocrinology and Diabetes 1

Family Medicine 2

Gastroenterology 2

General/Internal Medicine 13

General Surgery 3

Geriatrics 3

Haematology 1

Microbiology/Bacteriology 1

Nephrology 2

Neurology 1

Neurosurgery 2

Obstetrics and Gynaecology 3

Oncology and Radiotherapy 1

Ophthalmology 4

Orthopaedic Surgery 4

Paediatrics 3

Paediatric Oncology 1

Plastic Surgery 2

Psychiatry 3

Public Health Medicine 1

Radiology 4

Rehabilitation Medicine 2

Respiratory Medicine 1

Urology 1

Virology 1

Total 77

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Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) and

recommendation for inclusion in the Specialist Register

During the year in review, a total of 50 Medical Practitioners were approved by

the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee for the issue of the CCST in

the particular speciality and were recommended to the Malta Medical Council

for inclusion in the respective Specialist Register as follows:-



Cardiology 3

Clinical Neurophysiology 1

Community Paediatrics 3

Dermatology 1


Family Medicine 2

Gastroenterology 2


General Surgery 2

Nephrology 3

Neurology 1

Neurosurgery 1


Oncology and Radiotherapy 1

Ophthalmology 2


Paediatrics 4

Psychiatry 3


Radiology 1


Total 50

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7. Applications approved for recommendation for inclusion in

the Specialist Register

During the year 2018, the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee

approved 31 requests for recommendation for inclusion in the Specialist

Register, from Medical Practitioners who have pursued their specialisation

training abroad.



Baromedicine 1

Dermato-Venereology 2



General Surgery 1

Geriatrics 2

Microbiology/Bacteriology 1

Neurology 1

Neurosurgery 1


Ophthalmology 1

Paediatric Surgery 1

Plastic Surgery 2

Radiology 3


Urology 1

Total 31

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Completion of Basic Specialist Training (CCBST)

During 2018, the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee evaluated and

approved 58 requests for the issue of the CCBST in the following

specialisations:-




General Surgery 10


Ophthalmology 2

Paediatrics 4

Psychiatry 4


Radiology 3

Total 58

9. Approval of specialisation training to be pursued abroad

During the year in review, the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee

endorsed various requests received from Medical Practitioners, to pursue a

period of specialisation training abroad, as part of the local training

programme. The areas of specialisation were as follows:-

- Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine

- Chemical Pathology

- Emergency Medicine

- General Surgery

- General/Internal Medicine

- Geriatrics

- Haematology

- Histopathology

- Infectious Diseases

- Obstetrics and Gynaecology

- Oncology and Radiotherapy

- Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

- Paediatric Surgery

- Nephrology

- Psychiatry

- Respiratory Medicine.

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10. Approval of Postgraduate Training Programmes

The following Postgraduate Training Programmes were revised and approved

during the year in review:

Cardiology

Histopathology

Infectious Disease.

During the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee meeting held in March

2018, the MSAC was presented by a draft detailed Postgraduate Training

Programme in Cardiology prepared by the Maltese Cardiac Society.

Dr. Robert Xuereb, President of the Maltese Cardiac Society and Chairman of

the Cardiology Department at Mater Dei Hospital, explained that this is the first

written detailed Training Programme in Cardiology since previously the

training in Cardiology was included as a one page in the Specialist Training

Programmes in Adult Medical Specialities. Dr Xuereb gave a brief explanation

about the contents of the draft Postgraduate Training Programme in

Cardiology. He explained that this programme is based on the European

Society of Cardiology Core Curriculum. After due consideration of the draft

Training Programme, the MSAC proposed some minor amendments.

Upon agreement of these amendments by the Maltese Cardiac Society, the

MSAC approved and endorsed the postgraduate Training Programme in

Cardiology during the meeting held in April.

11. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) During the meeting held in July, the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee, after due consideration of the legal advice given by the MSAC

lawyers, approved amendments to the various application forms currently

issued by the SAC, including a provision in compliance with the provisions of

the General Data Protection Regulation namely:-

“Data Protection Statement: All Data collected is processed in accordance

with legal provisions, the Data Protection Act (Cap. 586) and the EU

Regulation 2016/679 General Data Protection Regulation. Personal Data is

not disclosed to third parties if not required by Maltese Law or by other EU

obligations.”

Moreover in regard to the referees referred to on some of the application forms,

the MSAC agreed that a declaration of consent is included as follows:-

“Through the submission of this application, the applicant concedes and

acknowledges that for the processing of the same application, confidential

references on the same applicant may be requested and attained by the SAC.

The applicant agrees and accepts not to request/be granted access and

disclosure to the contents of such references, given their confidential nature”.

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12. Meeting with Prof. Charmaine Gauci, Superintendent of

Public Health

Prof. Gauci attended the meeting held in October. Prof. Gauci informed the

Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee that her office is currently

considering amendments to the Health Care Professions Act (HCPA). She

invited the MSAC members to go through the HCPA in general, but also the

provisions specifically regarding the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee, and to submit recommendations to her for a decision on the way

forward about the HCPA. The HCPA is to be looked into afresh, that is on the

provisions that already exist, and for future needs. She said that the plan is,

that following submissions by all Councils, action is taken by her office to map

out these recommendations on a common platform, with specific requirements

for every particular Council/Committee.

The Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee appointed a committee made

up of Prof. Stephen Fava, Prof. Ray Galea, Dr. Bridget Ellul and Dr. Anton

Grech so that they review the HPCA and submit proposals for

amendments/additions to the HCPA and submit them for discussion and

eventually approval by the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee

members.

Moreover, due to the importance of this issue and to obtain all the possible

feedback from the relevant stakeholders, it was agreed that the Professional

Associations/Societies that fall under the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee are formally invited in writing to submit any

proposals/amendments/recommendations they wish to be considered by the

Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee in regard to the amendments in the

HCPA.

This issue was still in discussion at the end of the year under review.

13. LN 23 of 2018 – HCPA (Amendment of Fourth and Fifth

Schedules) Regulations, 2018

During the meeting held in March, the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee took into consideration the Legal Notice 23 of 2018 published on

19th January 2018. It was noticed that the main amendments requested by the

Medical Specialist Accreditation Commitee were done namely:-

- Name in the Fourth Schedule – as requested, the nomenclature “Maltese

Radiological Society” is changed to ‘Malta Association of Radiologists and

Nuclear Medicine Physicians’

- In the Fifth Schedule – Nomenclature of “Otorhinolaryngology” was changed

as advised by MSAC to “Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery”.

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14. Recommendation for amendments to Annex V of the

Directive 2005/36/EC

During the meeting held in March, the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee agreed that now that the nomeclature ‘Otorhinolaryngology’ has

been locally amended to ‘Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery’,

action needs to be taken to amend Annex V of the EU Directive 2005/36/EC

which is duly transposed in 5.1.3, Part 1c of the Health Care Professions Act

for Malta. Thus the MSAC proposed the following amendments:-

Change in the title of a speciality:-

Otorhinolaryngology from

Otorinolarinġoloġija to Otorinolarinġoloġija - Kirurġija tar-Ras u

l-Għonq.

During the meeting held in May, the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee noted that there was a discrepancy between the Fifth Schedule of

the Health Care Professions Act (HCPA) and Annex V of the Directive

2005/36/EC, which is duly transposed in 5.1.3, Part 1c of the HCPA in regard

to the speciality of Rehabilitation Medicine. Thus it proposed the following:-

To be included in Annex V in regard to Malta under the term:-

Physiotherapy – Mediċina ta’ Rijabilitazzjoni.

The Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee contacted Ms. Shirley

Sultana, A/Mutual Recognition Co-Ordinator, so to initiate the procedure to

amend Annex V accordingly in regard to the two above mentioned

amendments.

Such amendments have to be performed via the Internal Market Information

System (IMI) whereby the suggested amendments are broadcasted to all the EU

Competent Authorities for information and any feedback/comments.

Since Annex V is amended by the EU Commission periodically, the proposed

amendments will come in force when the next amendments are published.

15. LN 390 of 2018 – HCPA (Amendment of the Third, Fourth

and Fifth Schedules) Regulations, 2018

During the meeting held in November the Medical Specialist Accreditation

Committee took note of the Legal Notice 390 of 2018 published in the

Government Gazette on the 23rd November 2018, which included amendments

that the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee had previously forwarded

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to the attention of the Superintendent of Public Health. These included the

following amendments:-

Part II of the Fourth Schedule shall be amended as follows:-

(a) in the Maltese version, under the heading "– Tobba" immediately after the

item "Kulleġġ Malti ta’ Patoloġisti" thereof, there shall be added the following

words: "Kulleġġ Malti tat-Tobba tal-Familja";

(a) in the Maltese version the words "4. “Dermatolo Venerejoloġija" thereof,

shall be Substituted by the words "Dermato-Venerejoloġija";

(b) the words "19. Geneto-Urinary Medicine" thereof shall be Substituted by

the words "19. Genito-Urinary Medicine"; and

(c) in the Maltese version the words "50. Saħħa PubblikaViroloġija" thereof,

shall be Substituted by the words "50. Viroloġija".

16. Appeal cases

During the year 2018, the Health Care Professions Appeals Committee

delivered a decision in regard to an appeal filed in respect to a decision taken

by the Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee.

Date when appeal was filed 09/02/2017

Specialisation Family Medicine

Detail of case Application - Acquired rights provision

(Grandfathering clause)

Date of Appeals decision 24/08/2018

Decision “Orders the appellant to be registered on the

Specialist Register of Family Medicine with

SAC, such registration to be backdated from

the date of appellant’s application for

registration and that is, as from 14th

December 2016.”

Pending appeal cases

On the 25th

April, 2017 a sitting was held in regard to an appeal filed on

28th September 2016, by a medical practitioner, who is contesting the

decision of the MSAC regarding a request for inclusion in the Obstetrics

and Gynaecology Register.

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A recommendation issued by the Appeals Committee on the 25

th January

2018 stated

“that the Specialist Accreditation Committee [through the

Representative specialist body - in this case the Malta College of

Obstetricians and Gynaecologists], sets up a formal assessment to

confirm appellant’s practical-based knowledge.”

Case Status: The Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee has not

taken action since it has not received any further information about this

case from the Appeals Committee.

A medical practitioner filed an appeal on the 20th

November 2018,

contesting the decision of the MSAC regarding a request for inclusion in

the Radiology Register (Acquired rights provision/Grandfathering

clause).

Case Status: An appeal sitting was held on 11th

December 2018. The

Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee is awaiting the decision of

the Health Care Professions Appeals Committee.

Three appeal sittings were held on the 21st February 2018, 27

th April

2018 and 20th

September 2018 in regard to an appeal filed on 21st

November 2017, by a medical practitioner, who is contesting the

decision of the MSAC regarding a request for inclusion in the Sports and

Exercise Medicine Register on the provision of acquired

rights/grandfathering clause.

Case Status: Pending further appeal sittings are to be scheduled by the

Health Care Professions Appeals Committee.

The Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee remains concerned about the

composition of the Health Care Professions Appeals Committee, its procedures

and the way decisions are taken by this Committee.

During the meeting held in November 2018, the MSAC has unanimously

agreed to submit proposals to the Superintendent of Public Health for

consideration, in regard to this issue by recommending amendments in the

HCPA to improve the legal and administrative function of the Health Care

Professions Appeals Committee.

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17. Conclusion

The Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee intends to keep on ensuring

accreditation standards for medical postgraduate education and training. The

standards define the knowledge, skills and professional attributes expected at

the end of the specialist medical training.

The Medical Specialist Accreditation Committee’s main goal is to ensure that

every medical practitioner who is recommended for inclusion in a Medical

Specialist Register in Malta, whether holding a local specialist certificate or

having obtained a specialisation qualification from abroad, has the necessary

competence and knowledge to practice as a specialist, for the sake of the

regulated medical professions and also for the safety of the local citizens.

Gillian Mifsud

Registrar


Documents

Specialist Accreditation Committee · Substitute: Dr. Agnes Portelli MD, MCEM(UK) 7 ASSOCIATION OF ORTHOPAEDIC AND TRAUMA SURGEONS OF MALTA Representative: Mr. Thomas Azzopardi MD,