‘Hospital run into the ground’
PALMERSTON REGIONAL: IS IT LIVING UP TO PROMISE?
PALMERSTON Regional Hospital was presented as a massive boon for the Top End when it opened in August 2018 but three years on the facility has been run into the ground, according to the CLP.
As the first public hospital built in 40 years, it was presented as a clear alternative to the Royal Darwin Hospital that would deliver high quality health services for Palmerston and rural residents.
PALMERSTON Regional Hospital (PRH) was presented as a massive boon for the Top End when it opened in August 2018 but three years on the facility has been run into the ground, according to the CLP.
As the first public hospital built in 40 years, PRH was presented as a clear alternative to the Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) that would deliver high quality health services for Palmerston and rural residents.
The hospital promised to provide low acuity services including elective surgery, 24/7 emergency care for low complexity cases, rehabilitation and geriatric evaluation.
The project also grew to include maternity services that are used to support outpatient care for women, children and youth services.
Also opened on day one were radiology and pathology departments alongside a hospital pharmacy, which alongside outpatient services remain in place.
However, the $200m hospital has been criticised for not living up to its promised potential as the emergency department directs serious patients to RDH.
Opposition health spokesman Bill Yan was scathing of the current condition of the Territory health system calling it frightening that there has been three Code Yellows in less than 12 months.
The Palmerston emergency department has come under the spotlight this month with senior health executives considering shutting it down during crisis talks over staff shortages.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles said despite recent crisis talks PRH would remain a permanent feature, guaranteeing the emergency department would not close.
“Labor built PRH and under our watch it will remain a permanent feature of our health system,” she said.
“The government can guarantee that the emergency department will not close. There continues to be an increase in demand for health services across the NT.
“We acknowledge the high demand for health services is not sustainable in the long term, and are working to improve our capacity so we can continue to provide quality care to all Territorians.”
However, Mr Yan said Territorians were paying the price for the government’s “gross inability” to manage its budget.
“Our health system is at breaking point,” he said.
“The CLP delivered on its promise to build PRH. Labor have since run it into the ground. The fact that closing Palmerston’s emergency department to deal with the critical staff shortage at RDH was discussed is staggering.
“Both hospitals should be properly funded.”