Sick Relative in Mater Dei

Hello,

Lately, I've been excitedly writing about our move to Malta by the end of the year. 

However, an unexpected turn of events may change or even necessitate we accelerate the plans. Mother-in-Law (MiL) developed a case of Shingles for her birthday at the end of April. Very unfortunate and painful no doubt. However in rare cases it seems this can lead to an infection of the brain that may be permanent.

She was admitted to Mater Dei  last week and remains in there in a confused state and tests are ongoing. Things aren't looking too good. We are having a lot of trouble talking to anyone other than a nurse (they are great but we'd rather have a medical diagnosis than just an opinion). It seems her condition while not life threatening is getting worse from anecdotal evidence (from visiting friends and chats on the bedside phone with her).

Maria will be in Malta by Thursday but we wonder how to get to talk to the consultant when abroad? They seem reluctant to allow us to (I suppose because it could be anyone on the phone?)

We have sent an email this morning to the Customer Care address at the hospital.

Also we have managed to find the email of MiL's solicitor who has already been a marvel. She responded immediately to say she will meet with Maria and her Mother at the hospital and draw up Power of Attorney documents (should MiL be lucid).

This is, of course, very worrying for all concerned and the purpose of this note is to ask:

a) How best to talk to the relevant consultant at Mater Dei
b) Any advice on what we should be doing about a (possibly permanently) incapacitated Ex-Pat relative?

Thank you