Patient disruptions are expected during $18m RDH renovation
Disruptions are expected as a new ward is built at Royal Darwin Hospital. Read what’s in it.
Northern Territory
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The Health Department has warned of disruptions as work begins on the new $18.2m, 32-bed multi-purpose ward at Royal Darwin Hospital.
Darwin-based builders Aspire Design and Construct will construct the new ward, with the project expected to support up to 130 jobs.
The ward will be designed and built in line with the Australasian Health Facility Guidelines as a multipurpose ward with capability to care for bariatric, renal and general patients.
The ward will be built at the front of RDH’s main carpark next to the cafe.
It will be elevated and allow for a two-level undercover carpark with provision for disability parking.
The ward’s design will allow for potential expansion, with the ability to construct two additional wards above the new building if required.
The Department of Health said the new ward would include negative pressure single bedrooms, standard bariatric single bedrooms, general bedrooms, single bedrooms, supporting facilities such as offices and staff areas and the capacity for renal dialysis to be incorporated into each of the beds.
The Department said construction may cause some disruption to staff, patients and their families due to noise and impacts to the main car park.
An interim car park will be established to minimise any inconvenience and ensure adequate parking.
NT Health Top End Region executive director Dr Luke Butcher said the new ward would be an important addition to the Territory’s health assets.
“NT Health is pleased to see work begin on this important investment into health infrastructure,” he said.
“We look forward to seeing the construction of the ward take shape over the coming year.”
The commencement of work is part of a slew of infrastructure works for RDH, as part of a $107 million injection to improve capacity.
Twenty-five million was promised to expand the mental health inpatient unit, $22.6m to upgrade the mortuary, pathology and bereavement facility and $6.6m for the mental health stabilisation assessment and referral area unit.
Health services spending made up $2.2bn of the 2024-25 NT Budget.
It is expected the new ward will commence operations towards the end of 2025.
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