Medical emergency in Malta: emergency numbers, clinics and what visitors should do

The most important distinction is between:

• A life-threatening emergency
• An urgent but stable medical problem
• A non-urgent condition that can be assessed through a clinic or pharmacy

This article provides general information only and does not replace emergency instructions or an individual medical assessment.

What is Malta's emergency number?

For an emergency in Malta, call 112.

The number can be used for emergency ambulance, police and fire services and is available 24 hours a day. Malta's Ministry for Health and Mater Dei Hospital both identify 112 as the number for emergency ambulance assistance.

Tell the operator:

• What happened
• The patient's condition
• Your exact location
• The name of the hotel, property or venue
• The room number, floor or entrance where relevant
• A telephone number where you can be reached
• Whether the patient is conscious and breathing

Do not end the call until the operator tells you to do so.

When should you call 112 immediately?

Call 112 when someone may be seriously ill, badly injured or at risk of rapid deterioration. Examples include:

• Severe difficulty breathing
• Serious chest pain
• Signs of a stroke
• Loss of consciousness
• A person who cannot be awakened
• Seizure
• Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding
• Major trauma or serious road-traffic injury
• Severe allergic reaction
• Suspected alcohol poisoning
• Serious head injury or severe burns
• Sudden confusion or collapse

Do not delay calling an ambulance while searching online for a clinic or waiting for a routine appointment.

Signs of a possible stroke

Use the FAST warning signs:

• Face: one side of the face droops
• Arms: one arm becomes weak or cannot be raised normally
• Speech: speech becomes slurred or confused
• Time: call 112 immediately

Even when symptoms appear to improve, urgent emergency assessment is still required.

What should you do if someone is unconscious?

Call 112 immediately. Check whether the person is breathing and follow the emergency operator's instructions.

Do not:

• Leave the person alone
• Give them food or drink
• Assume they are simply sleeping
• Put them in a shower
• Force them to stand or walk
• Give medication by mouth

When alcohol or recreational substances may be involved, tell the emergency team honestly what the person may have consumed. This information can help guide treatment.

Where is Malta's main emergency hospital?

Mater Dei Hospital in Msida is Malta's principal acute general hospital and has an Accident and Emergency Department. Its official contact information lists 112 for an emergency ambulance and a separate number for the Accident and Emergency Department.

In an emergency, do not rely on arranging your own transport unless emergency services specifically advise it. An ambulance may be safer when the patient requires monitoring or urgent treatment.

Is every medical problem an emergency?

No. Many illnesses require prompt medical attention but do not require an ambulance or emergency department. Examples may include:

• Fever in an otherwise stable adult
• Persistent cough or sore throat
• Ear pain or skin rash
• Mild allergic symptoms without breathing problems
• Vomiting without severe dehydration, or diarrhoea
• Migraine without new neurological symptoms
• Minor cuts or sprains
• Urinary symptoms or medication concerns
• A medical certificate or a stable injury requiring examination

Symptoms can change. Call 112 when the person becomes confused, collapses, develops severe pain, cannot breathe normally or deteriorates quickly.

What is Malta's 1400 medical helpline?

Malta operates the 1400 helpline for non-emergency medical guidance. Official information states that it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can help people understand where to seek appropriate care. It is not an emergency service and cannot prescribe medication or issue medical certificates.

Call 1400 when:

• The situation does not appear life-threatening
• You are unsure which service is appropriate
• You need general guidance about where to seek care
• You are deciding between a health centre and another service

The Ministry for Health currently states that 1400 is intended for patients aged 16 to 75 who are entitled to free healthcare. Patients outside that range are advised to contact the Primary HealthCare support number. Call 112 instead when there is a potential emergency.

What are Malta's public health centres?

Malta's Primary HealthCare department provides community services through health centres, clinics, telemedicine and other facilities. Official information states that more than 50 public primary-care services are delivered across the country. Health centres can provide services such as:

• General practitioner assessment
• Nursing care
• Treatment of suitable urgent conditions
• Referrals and selected tests
• Minor procedures
• Follow-up care

Some centres, including Floriana, Mosta and Paola, provide round-the-clock or extended immediate-care services under current schedules. Verify the location and hours before travelling because service arrangements can change.

Can a private doctor help?

A private doctor or clinic may be appropriate when the patient is stable and requires:

• A medical examination
• A diagnosis and treatment plan
• Advice about medication or a prescription assessment
• Follow-up care
• A medical certificate
• Minor-injury assessment
• A referral for testing
• Support outside ordinary appointment systems

A private clinic is not a replacement for emergency services. The doctor may refer the patient to hospital when further investigation, imaging, monitoring or specialist treatment is needed.

Same-day doctor in St Julian's

Can a doctor visit your hotel?

A doctor-on-call service may be helpful when a stable patient cannot comfortably travel to a clinic. Depending on availability, visits may be arranged for hotels, holiday apartments, private homes, offices, language schools and other local accommodation.

When requesting a visit, provide:

• Full patient name and age
• Contact telephone number
• Hotel or accommodation name and full address
• Room number where relevant
• General description of the concern
• Current medication
• Known medical conditions and allergies

A hotel visit is not appropriate when the patient is unconscious, having difficulty breathing, experiencing a seizure, bleeding heavily or showing other emergency warning signs.

Doctor on call in St Julian's

What should you bring to a clinic or hospital?

When possible, bring:

• Passport or identification
• European Health Insurance Card, if applicable
• Travel-insurance details
• A list of current medication
• Details of allergies
• Relevant medical records
• Contact details for a family member
• Payment method for private care

Do not delay emergency treatment because you cannot find a document.

What if you do not speak Maltese?

English is widely used in Malta's healthcare system. Still, it can help to:

• Write down your symptoms
• Show the names or photographs of your medication
• Bring someone who knows what happened
• Use your phone to display your hotel address
• Tell the doctor about allergies and existing conditions clearly

At Doctor St Julian's, consultations are intended to be available in English and selected additional languages, depending on the practitioner working at the time.

Common tourist situations

Severe illness after a night out in Paceville: call 112 when the person cannot be awakened, has abnormal breathing, has a seizure or may have sustained a serious injury. For stable symptoms such as persistent vomiting, dehydration or an injury without emergency warning signs, contact a doctor for advice.

Injury after a fall: seek emergency help for loss of consciousness, confusion, heavy bleeding, severe pain, visible deformity or inability to move safely. A stable minor injury may be assessed at a clinic, but imaging or hospital referral could still be required.

Suspected drink spiking: move to a safe place and stay with someone trusted. Seek prompt medical attention if there is sudden confusion, memory loss, extreme intoxication inconsistent with the amount consumed, loss of consciousness or concern about assault.

Severe allergic reaction: call 112 immediately when there is swelling of the tongue or throat, breathing difficulty, collapse or widespread symptoms developing quickly.

Heat illness: move the person to a cooler place and begin cooling. Call 112 for confusion, collapse, unconsciousness or suspected heatstroke.