Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital

Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital is the public hospital in Malta devoted to helping people regain movement, independence and everyday function after illness, injury or surgery. It sits on Guardamangia Hill in Pietà, within the St Luke's Hospital campus, a short ride from the capital and easy to place on the map for anyone who has stayed in or around Valletta (see our Valletta guide)(/valletta-guide).

The hospital is run by the Government of Malta, so it is a very different setting from the private physiotherapy practices that fill most of our physiotherapists in Malta listings. It also appears among our health centres in Malta, which makes it a useful reference point for UK residents and long-stay visitors who want to understand how rehabilitation care is organised on the island.

Purpose and approach

The hospital's stated purpose is to work alongside patients and their carers to deliver sustainable, interdisciplinary rehabilitation at the point of need, in step with other providers, so that each person can make the most of their own potential. Its ambition is to become a centre of excellence for patient-focused specialised care and rehabilitation.

In practice this means a team approach. Nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language professionals and others plan care together rather than working in isolation. For families, that matters: rehabilitation after a stroke, a fracture or major surgery rarely involves a single skill, and a hospital that brings the disciplines under one roof can keep the whole journey joined up.

Inpatient services

Patients admitted to the hospital have access to a broad list of services during their stay. These include nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, podiatry, pharmacy, orthotics and prosthetics, psychology, phlebotomy, nutrition and dietetics, X-rays and family training. Day hospital, chaplaincy, transport and social work services are also part of the general offer.

Orthotics and prosthetics cover supports and artificial limbs, while family training helps relatives learn how to assist a loved one safely once they return home. Nutrition and dietetics sit alongside therapy because eating well is part of recovering well. If you want to look at independent dietitians or nutritionists elsewhere on the island, our directory includes nutritionists such as A New Better Life.

Outpatient and day hospital care

Not everyone needs a bed. The hospital also runs outpatient services for people who live at home and travel in for treatment. These are physiotherapy, occupational therapy and orthotics and prosthetics, together with the day hospital, which allows patients to attend for a programme of therapy during the day and return home in the evening.

The hospital has a dedicated physiotherapy outpatients department, listed separately from the wards in its contact arrangements. People living in Malta who want to know whether outpatient rehabilitation is right for them should speak to their own doctor or to the hospital directly, because eligibility and referral routes are matters for the hospital and the health authorities rather than for a directory.

Visiting and getting there

Visiting hours for inpatients run Monday to Saturday from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm and again from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm. On Sundays and public holidays there are three slots: 10.00 am to 11.00 am, 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Relatives may be given special permission to visit outside these times at the discretion of the charge nurse or senior nurse on duty. Children are welcome, though those aged up to 14 are only allowed on Sundays and public holidays in the morning slot, and parents should remember they are entering a hospital where infection is a risk.

The easiest public transport route is bus 122 from Valletta, getting off at the roundabout outside St Luke's Hospital. Visitors who drive can use the first and second floors of the multi-storey car park, which is shared by staff, patients and relatives. An ATM and patient meals at lunch and dinner are among the amenities. Families travelling from the UK to be near a patient may find our where to stay in Malta guide helpful for choosing an area, and our Malta flights guide explains the routes from Britain.

Living in Malta and healthcare

Anyone planning a longer stay or a permanent move will want to understand the local health system. Our Malta relocation guide for UK families covers the practical side of settling in, and our about Malta page gives a broader picture of the islands. Private health cover is a common topic for newcomers, and independent advisers such as AIB Insurance Brokers can talk through cover options.

If you would like to ask the hospital a general question, for example about visiting arrangements or the services it offers, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the hospital. For urgent clinical matters, contact the relevant health service directly rather than waiting for a reply through a directory.