Sliema, Malta

Saint James Hospital

Discectomy



Hospital Stay

2 nights

Recovery Time

14 Days

Head of Orthopaedics

Mr. Mark Portelli, MD, FRCS (Edin), FEBOT. FRCSEd (Tr&Orth)

Repair of a herniated intervertebral disc.

Package Includes

Inpatient Stay: 2 Nights
Post-Op Care: 14 Days
Head of Orthopaedics: Mr. Mark Portelli, MD, FRCS (Edin), FEBOT. FRCSEd (Tr&Orth)
St. James Hospital, located in Sliema, Malta, is one of the country’s leading private medical institutions and a key European partner for My Medical Gateway patients seeking high-quality, English-speaking healthcare in the Mediterranean region. With over 30 years of experience, St. James Hospital has built a reputation for clinical excellence, modern technology, and patient-centred care, delivering outcomes comparable to those of major hospitals across Western Europe. Operating under full quality certification, the hospital adheres to EU healthcare standards and employs internationally trained specialists who ensure safety, transparency and excellence across all medical services.
St. James Hospital is part of the St. James Hospital Group, Malta’s largest private healthcare network, which includes hospitals and medical centres in Sliema, Żejtun, and Gozo. The Sliema hospital serves as the group’s flagship facility, offering a full range of inpatient, outpatient, surgical, and diagnostic services. The hospital features over 80 inpatient beds, a 10-bed intensive care unit, and five state-of-the-art operating theatres equipped for advanced surgical procedures in orthopaedics, general surgery, cardiology, urology and gynaecology. Additional facilities include a dedicated day-surgery unit, endoscopy suite, and diagnostic imaging centre with MRI, CT and digital radiography. St. James Hospital is led by Mr. Jean Calude Muscat, Chief Executive Officer, supported by a senior management team responsible for clinical governance, international development, and quality assurance. Under his direction, the hospital has expanded its international patient programme, welcoming medical travellers from the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe while maintaining a consistent focus on patient safety and care coordination.
St. James Hospital employs over 200 doctors and healthcare professionals, many of whom have completed advanced training in the UK, Ireland, and other EU countries. The hospital’s multidisciplinary medical teams ensure high standards of clinical care across all specialties.

Name: Mr. Mark Portelli, MD, FRCS (Edin), FEBOT. FRCSEd (Tr&Orth)

Title: Head of Specialty

Bio: Mark Portelli, Consultant Orthpaedic and Trama Surgeon, trained in Malta and Oxford (UK). Appointed consultant in 2016, he established Malta's Foot and Ankle service after specialty training. He is lead consultant at Mater Dei and Saint James Hospital, specialising in lower limb surgery including hip and knee arthroplasty, knee and ankle arthroscopy, ankle ligament construction, and foot deformities.

Full profile

St. James Hospital provides an extensive range of clinical services, with particular expertise in cardiology, orthopaedics, general and bariatric surgery, urology, gynaecology and ophthalmology. Its diagnostic imaging department houses MRI, CT, ultrasound, echocardiography, mammography, and digital X-ray equipment, supported by a comprehensive laboratory and pathology unit. Surgical theatres are equipped for laparoscopic, endoscopic, and minimally invasive techniques, helping to reduce pain, hospitalisation time and recovery periods. In addition, the hospital operates a dedicated dental and implantology centre and a rehabilitation suite, offering physiotherapy, occupational therapy and post-surgical recovery services.

St. James Hospital maintains audited performance indicators in line with European benchmarks, demonstrating excellent clinical outcomes across major specialties:

  • Orthopaedics: Postoperative infection rate under 2%, with average inpatient stay of just three days for joint replacements.
  • Bariatric Surgery: Complication rate between 3–5%, achieving 65–90% excess-weight reduction within two years. These results reflect the hospital’s commitment to continuous improvement, patient feedback monitoring, and outcome transparency.
St. James Hospital’s clinical governance framework is modelled on UK and EU best practices. The hospital’s infection control team maintains hospital-acquired infection rates below 1%, supported by antibiotic stewardship, sterile airflow systems in operating theatres, and routine environmental monitoring. Patient care follows European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Consultant anaesthetists and intensive-care specialists are available 24/7 and all surgical patients are monitored through enhanced recovery pathways to minimise postoperative complications.
For MMG patients, St. James Hospital provides a fully managed treatment pathway, from online consultation and travel support to hospital admission and post-treatment follow-up. English-speaking coordinators assist with all arrangements, ensuring seamless communication and care continuity. Most diagnostic tests and consultations can be arranged within 24–48 hours of arrival in Malta. Depending on the procedure, hospital stays typically range from two to five days, with discharge supported by physiotherapy and recovery planning.
Rehabilitation begins immediately after surgery, guided by physiotherapists and specialist nurses. Orthopaedic patients receive structured mobility and strengthening programmes, while bariatric patients are supported with nutritional counselling and follow-up teleconsultations. Cardiac and general surgery patients benefit from postoperative rehabilitation programmes designed to optimise recovery and long-term health outcomes. Upon returning home, the hospital provides remote follow-up via secure telemedicine platforms, ensuring continuity of care.

Location

Sliema, Malta

Nearest airport: Malta International Airport

0161 9600 700 FAQs