Mater Dei’s Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day and has a paediatric area. Gozo General Hospital also provides emergency care. Visitor charges depend on healthcare entitlement and care setting.
| Situation | What to know |
|---|---|
| My child has life-threatening symptoms | Call 112 for an ambulance. For an acute emergency, Malta’s guidance also says you may go directly to A&E at Mater Dei Hospital or Gozo General Hospital. |
| My child needs medical advice but is not in immediate danger | Call Malta’s Primary Health Care Client Support Centre on 21231231 or 21222444. The telemedicine service operates 24/7 and is not an emergency service. |
| My child may have swallowed medicine or a poisonous substance | Call Malta’s National Poisons Centre on 1774. Its public helpline is open daily from 08:00 to 20:00. For a life-threatening reaction, call 112. |
| I’m checking whether public care will cost us | Bring identification and any healthcare entitlement documents that apply. Malta’s visitor guidance includes a valid UK passport for UK nationals on a temporary stay when no other entitlement applies; eligibility and charges depend on the visitor and care setting. |
When to call 112 or seek emergency care
Call 112 for an ambulance if your child has a life-threatening emergency. Malta’s guidance names Mater Dei Hospital in Msida and Gozo General Hospital in Victoria for acute emergency care; it says you can call 112 or go directly to either hospital’s A&E department.
For children under five, warning signs that need immediate medical attention include difficulty or very fast breathing; blue, grey, unusually pale or mottled skin; a rash that does not fade when pressed; seizure or fainting; being difficult to wake; or no urine for 12 hours. NHS guidance also flags a temperature of 38°C or higher in a baby under three months, or 39°C or higher in a baby aged three to six months. These are general warning signs, not a diagnosis. Call 112 for a life-threatening emergency.
Where to get advice or have your child assessed
If your child needs medical advice but is not in immediate danger, call Malta’s Primary Health Care Client Support Centre on 21231231 or 21222444. Its telemedicine service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is not an emergency service. The Ministry says the 1400 helpline is intended for people aged 16–75 who are entitled to free healthcare, and directs people outside that age range to the Primary Healthcare Helpline at 21231231. For a child, contact Primary Health Care rather than assuming 1400 is the right route.
Mater Dei Hospital’s Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day and has a paediatric area for babies and children. Its department is for urgent medical problems and may be busy. For an acute emergency in Gozo, the named hospital is Gozo General Hospital. If it is not an emergency and you are unsure where to go, call the Client Support Centre for guidance.
Government health centres provide GP and nursing services, including paediatric and Well Baby clinics, but hours and clinic availability vary. Confirm the appropriate centre and current hours with the Client Support Centre before making a non-emergency trip. For non-emergency Sunday options, see Where to Find a Doctor on Sunday.
If your child may have swallowed something poisonous
For suspected poisoning, call Malta’s National Poisons Centre on 1774. The public helpline is open Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 20:00. Outside those hours, the Centre advises going to the nearest health centre or Emergency Department, depending on severity. Call 112 for a life-threatening reaction.
What to bring and what care might cost
Bring your child’s identification and any healthcare entitlement documents that apply to your family, such as an EHIC, UK GHIC, S1 or relevant Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement entitlement. Malta’s visitor guidance says UK nationals on a temporary stay may also present a valid UK passport when no other entitlement applies. Eligible EU visitors can use a valid EHIC or Provisional Replacement Certificate for urgent or medically necessary state care.
Do not assume every visitor or private consultation will be free. Charges depend on entitlement and the care setting; Malta’s visitor guidance says visitors must pay applicable charges not covered by their entitlement. A general Government of Malta emergency page says hospital emergency services are free, while more specific visitor and EHIC guidance qualifies free public care by entitlement and documentation. If you are unsure how the rules apply to your family, confirm with the provider or your insurer.
When contacting a healthcare provider, have your child’s age, current symptoms, when they started, and any current or recent medicines ready. Mention relevant allergies you know about, and keep identification and entitlement documents available. The provider can tell you what else is needed.
If the illness seems mild
If symptoms seem mild but you are unsure what to do, call the Primary Health Care Client Support Centre for medical guidance. Seek clinical advice if your child’s symptoms worsen or you are concerned. The telemedicine service is not an emergency service; if your child develops life-threatening symptoms, call 112 rather than waiting for advice by phone.
If you are considering a pharmacy consultation for a non-emergency concern, see Can You See a Doctor at a Pharmacy? Doctor availability may differ from pharmacy opening hours.
Questions people ask
Is 1400 suitable for a sick child?
Do not assume it is. The Ministry describes 1400 as intended for people aged 16–75 who are entitled to free healthcare, and directs people outside that age range to the Primary Healthcare Helpline at 21231231. Primary Health Care also lists 21222444 for its 24/7 telemedicine service.
Can I go straight to an emergency department?
For an acute emergency, Malta’s guidance says you can call 112 or go directly to A&E at Mater Dei Hospital or Gozo General Hospital. Mater Dei’s Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day and has a paediatric area.
Will emergency treatment be free for a holidaymaker?
Not necessarily. Visitor charges depend on healthcare entitlement and care setting. Eligible EU visitors can use a valid EHIC or Provisional Replacement Certificate for covered state care. Malta’s visitor guidance also says a UK national on a temporary stay may present a valid UK passport when no other entitlement applies. Check your documents and confirm with the provider or your insurer if needed.
What should I have ready when I call for advice?
Have your child’s age, current symptoms, when they began, and any current or recent medicines ready. Mention relevant allergies you know about, and keep your child’s identification and any healthcare entitlement documents available.
Need a pharmacy today? Find one in Malta or Gozo. Confirm opening hours and product availability before travelling.
Sources
- Government of Malta — Medical Emergencies
- European Commission — Malta: European Health Insurance Card
- NHS — When to get urgent medical help for babies and children under 5
- Mater Dei Hospital — Emergency Department
- Primary Health Care Malta — Telemedicine
- Malta Ministry for Health — What is the 1400 Helpline?
- Primary Health Care Malta — Health Centres
- Malta Ministry for Health — Sahhtek booklet
- Malta National Poisons Centre
- Malta Interactive Portal for EESSI — Information regarding Healthcare in Malta
General information, not individual medical advice. Confirm medicine classification and suitability with a pharmacist or healthcare professional.