St Thomas Hospital

St Thomas Hospital is a private hospital in Qormi, set on Valletta Road in the middle of the island and only about 5 km from Malta International Airport. It treats itself as a place where specialist care, modern equipment and a calm, comfortable setting come together, and it is open to people who pay for their own treatment as well as those covered by health insurance. That makes it relevant to UK visitors, second-home owners and residents who want private care without a long journey.

This page sets out what the hospital offers, how its departments and diagnostic services are organised, what to expect from a stay, how payment and insurance work, and how to get there. It describes services only and is not a substitute for talking to a doctor. If you are comparing options, see our directory of private clinics in Malta.

About the hospital and its history

The hospital opened its doors around seven years ago and sets out to deliver treatment that feels personal and unhurried. The aim is that patients are never just a number in a busy waiting room: diagnostic and treatment plans are tailored to each person, and every unit is specialised, with its own experts behind it.

Its roots lie in medicine rather than property development. The founder is a distinguished consultant nephrologist, a kidney specialist, who brought that expertise to Malta and set up the country's first nephrology department. His work also led to Malta's first renal transplantation service, which has since carried out hundreds of kidney transplants and laid the foundation for the hospital itself.

Three values run through the hospital's approach. The design of the building puts patient comfort first, with the aim of creating a serene environment for recovery. The equipment is advanced, and a good share of resources goes into buying the best available machines, choosing dedicated staff and funding further training. Care is personalised, with an emphasis on making each person feel at ease, understood and valued.

Specialist departments

The hospital organises its work into twelve departments. Cardiology covers heart and vascular care, backed by high-end cardiac equipment. Paediatrics looks after younger patients, and families can also browse our list of paediatric clinics in Malta when comparing providers. General surgery, urology, gastroenterology, orthopaedics, gynaecology, and ear, nose and throat care complete the core surgical and medical specialties.

Several departments focus on particular needs. Weight loss surgery is a bariatric service, orthopaedics deals with joints and bones, and gastroenterology covers the digestive system. Pain management is aimed at people living with long-term pain, dermatology addresses skin care and treatment, and health screening offers proactive, thorough check-ups for those who want to review their general health.

Because each unit is specialised, you can ask to be directed to the right department rather than going through a general queue. The enquiry form on this page is the quickest way to ask which department deals with your question, and we will pass your message to the hospital.

Tests, scans and health screening

Diagnostics are a central part of the offer. The hospital provides a wide range of tests and scans using high-end ultrasound, advanced cardiac CT and digital mammography. Its facilities also cover digital X-rays, stress ECG, endoscopy and cardiac echocardiography, so many investigations can be carried out on one site, with analysis that is meant to be precise and swift.

Health screening packages sit alongside these services for people who want a general check-up rather than treatment for a specific problem. For a UK visitor who is spending an extended period in Malta, or a retiree who has moved here, having tests and scans available close to home in Qormi can be convenient. As with any medical service, the right tests for you are a matter for a qualified doctor, not for this directory.

Your room and what to bring

Patient bedrooms are designed to offer the comforts of home. Each has an electronic patient-controlled bed, an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, its own TV and radio with a remote control, a telephone with direct dial facilities, a nurse call system, a personal safe and a convertible sofa bed so a relative or friend can stay as a chaperone.

The hospital also gives practical packing advice. You are asked to bring photo identification such as a passport or driving licence, your health insurance details, a list of your current medications and doses, and a list of any allergies. Comfortable pyjamas or nightwear, preferably with front openings if you are to have surgery, slippers, a robe, daytime clothes, a few toiletries, and a phone, tablet or laptop with chargers and headphones are all suggested. Large amounts of cash, valuables, jewellery, alcohol, illicit drugs and any medication that has not been prescribed should be left at home.

Payment, insurance and pricing

Self-paying patients are offered all-inclusive packages for many treatments and procedures. The idea is one price with no surprises: the amount quoted covers all aspects of the treatment. Where the cost may fall outside your cover, or you have a high excess, the hospital provides an estimate of expected out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins. No prices are published online, so ask for a quote.

For insured patients, the team recommends contacting the hospital before your visit so it can verify your coverage and confirm any pre-authorisation or referral that your policy requires. The hospital has direct billing arrangements with a wide range of health insurers and bills them directly where it can. Its billing specialists coordinate with your insurer, help with pre-authorisation, and will take up any dispute or appeal on your behalf.

UK travellers should check with their own insurer how a private hospital stay in Malta would be handled before they travel. Our flights to Malta page helps with arrangements for your journey, and anyone considering a longer stay can read our guide to relocating to Malta.

Getting to St Thomas Hospital

The hospital is on Valletta Road in Qormi. Drivers approaching from the north, south and east are advised to head for the Mriehel bypass and follow it in the direction of Mdina, then turn left towards the centre of Qormi about 800 metres before the flyover that leads to Attard. At the roundabout, take the first exit and you have arrived. Our Mdina guide is useful if you are exploring the island's old capital afterwards, since the route towards Mdina passes close to the turn for Qormi.

Parking is free but limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis. The car park is entered from Pawlu Farrugia Road, the street behind the front entrance. By bus, several lines serve the area and route 64 has the closest stop, called Furnar, 50 metres from the entrance.

International patients are well served. Malta International Airport at Luqa is about 5 km away, and the hospital provides a chauffeur service from the airport to the hospital, which you arrange through the bookings office. If you are flying in from London, see our pages for flights from London Heathrow to Malta and London Gatwick to Malta. Relatives and friends travelling with a patient may need a few nights nearby, and companions who want somewhere to stay can start with our guide on where to stay in Malta or our overview of hotels across Malta.

Opening hours and how to get in touch

The hospital's contact page gives hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday to Sunday, while its homepage lists immediate care as available 24 hours a day. You can request an appointment or book a consultation through the hospital, and the team replies to enquiries about departments, tests, payment and arrival arrangements.

If you would like to ask about a consultation, a scan, a screening package or transport from the airport, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to St Thomas Hospital. For anything urgent, contact local emergency services rather than waiting for a reply to an online enquiry.