The ongoing emergency response to flooding events across the Territory has led to “system-wide pressures” on the NT Health system, the government says, leading to Code Yellow declarations issued Tuesday for hospitals in Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs, with calls for the public to avoid the hospitals outside of real emergencies.
“Our health system is experiencing a significant increase in presentations, overcrowding within emergency departments and limited patient flow, due to the influx of Territorians to our regional centres,” a statement from NT Health said.
“NT Health is implementing a coordinated approach across the health service to manage capacity challenges, optimise resource use and support enhanced patient flow.”
The Code Yellow declarations assist with NT health’s health capacity management plans, which will allow staff to manage and prioritise patient safety and “strategically coordinate escalation processes,” the statement added.
NT Health said Royal Darwin Hospital had been overstretched with presentations and admissions from regional patients who were sent to Darwin due to flooding in remote communities.
RDH also saw 17 patients from Katherine transferred there last week.
Alice Springs Hospital has also seen patient flow issues, with people being urged to attend the Mparntwe Urgent Care Clinic for non-emergency medical care or visiting local GPs.
Meanwhile, the Katherine Hospital was reopened on Sunday after being closed ahead of the Katherine flood. NT Health said specialist outpatient appointments and elective surgeries scheduled for this week have all been cancelled, with patients told to contact the hospital to reschedule.
The 17 patients who were transferred to RDH will be sent back to Katherine this week “where clinically appropriate”, NT Health said.
The NT Government said NT Health’s primary health care services, including social, emotional and wellbeing services have mostly been reopened across the Territory.
The government statement also acknowledged “bed block” due to long-stay aged care patients remains an issue affecting the Territory’s hospitals, with 92 aged care patients currently living in NT hospitals.
“If you are experiencing a health emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance,” the Health statement said.
“Medicare Urgent Care Clinics provide free medical care when it’s urgent but not an emergency.
“There are six Urgent Care Clinics in the Northern Territory. You can walk in to receive bulk billed urgent care. To find a clinic visit the After Hours Medical Care page on the NT Health website.
“If you are unsure of how to manage your illness or injury, visit www.healthdirect.gov.au or call Healthdirect for free on 1800 022 222.”
“If you are experiencing a health emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance”
This statement from NT Health should include the disclaimer that following ambulance transport you will be invoiced in the range of $700- $1100 unless you have cover through private health or other insurance, an ambulance subscription, or hold a current Centrelink concession card (the majority of patients likely falling into this latter category, based on observation), despite the fact that St John already receive tens of millions of dollars from the NTG to provide ambulance services.
It would be interesting to know the breakdown numbers of patients year on year in each of the above categories. And of the presumed minority who are actually invoiced, what % of these invoices are paid vs written off.
No doubt this is all ‘’commercial in confidence’