Practical planning guide

Ask for communication support at appointments

Prepare for appointments when hearing, speech, language or communication needs make it harder to take part.

Practical next steps

Tell the booking team how you prefer to communicate and what would help you understand and respond.
If you use Maltese Sign Language, contact the interpretation service early and confirm arrangements with both the service and clinic.
For complex communication needs, ask whether ACTU assessment or advice would help. Confirm who makes the referral.
Ask whether a longer appointment, written questions, a quieter space or a chosen support person can be arranged.
Prepare a short communication note explaining your preferred method and how to give you time to respond.
Ask the clinician to explain unfamiliar terms and give you the agreed next steps in an accessible format.
Before leaving, confirm who to contact for questions and how that contact can be made accessibly.

Provider: Rare & Serious Illness Support Malta
Eligibility: A preparation guide for patients and families; it does not determine diagnosis, entitlement or a medical plan.
Application: Use the questions that fit your situation and agree next steps with the relevant professional.
Documents: Keep only the information needed for your enquiry. Use secure provider channels for private documents.
Cost: Confirm any charges or funding with the provider before making arrangements.
Referral: Service-specific referral requirements apply.
Funding: No payment, place or service allocation is promised by this guide.
Contact: Use the linked canonical records for official provider contacts.
Verified: 2026-10-29
Review: 2027-01-29
Notes: Original editorial planning prompts, informed by the linked sources. These questions do not establish a new Maltese service or replace individual professional advice.