Controversial Acacia to be rolled out in Darwin and Palmerston emergency departments

Concerns from health professionals about the system’s reintroduction are again on the rise as NT Health and DCDD assure people improvements have been made.

The emergency department entrance at Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH).

An infamous health patient record system will again be launched in the NT’s most stretched emergency departments in November nearly two years after it was suspended.

NT Health confirmed the system Acacia would be implemented in the two EDs on November 13 after facing several delays.

This would mean the system will finally be in place in all Northern Territory hospitals since the IT project was first established in 2017.

However, over its history, Acacia has been racked with issues and overspending.

Acacia, the “largest and most complex digital project” ever undertaken by the NT government, is an integrated health records system helping to create a one-stop shop for all frontline health staff in the Territory.

It was first rolled out in the NT in 2020 and 2022 in smaller hospitals like Gove District and Katherine but it hit a major snare when it reached Royal Darwin Hospital and Palmerston District Hospital emergency departments on November 11 two years ago.

Significant technical issues led to staff frustration and risks to “patient safety” causing NT Health to pull Acacia from the EDs in January 2024.

After it was rolled back, 34 issues were identified with the system and an inquiry into Acacia revealed health professionals held deep concerns about the system.

Initially, Acacia was due to be reintroduced in the EDs April this year but delays pushed that by another seven months.

However, NT Health said it was “very successfully” implemented in Tennant Creek Hospital and Alice Springs Hospitals in August this year.

As concerns again loom in the Darwin and Palmerston emergency departments following news of its reintroduction, NT Health and the Department of Corporate and Digital Development (DCDD), the lead agency on the project, were asked what action has been taken to ensure the roll out does not unleash chaos.

Acacia will be reintroduced to Palmerston Regional Hospital ED on November 13 Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

In response, a spokesman for NT Health said DCDD and senior NT Health clinical staff have been working closely with Acacia developer InterSystems, on its design.

Saying they are ensuring it is “a fit-for-purpose”, NT Health said the system will meet the “dynamic and unique needs” of the emergency departments.

“Royal Darwin Hospital and Palmerston Regional Hospital emergency department staff have been undertaking training and user testing in preparation for the re-implementation,” the NT Health spokesman said.

“Additional support from experienced Acacia users will be provided during system implementation, and for as long as needed post implementation to ensure successful integration into work practices.”

However it appears there are many at the hospital who are worried about the short amount of time staff have to prepare for the rolling out of the system in emergency departments.

AMA NT President Dr John Zorbas.

Australian Medical Association NT president, Dr John Zorbas, said doctors were concerned patient safety might again be jeopardised.

“Our doctors have come to us with concerns about the return of Acacia,” he said.

“The timeline for training is very compressed.

“Patient safety has to be the first priority with any system in frontline health.”

In general, he added that staff feel very disillusioned about the system as it has failed to meet the needs of the medical staff and the running of the busy hospitals.

“We’re disappointed with what the product is able to do,” Dr Zorbas said.

“It’s a far cry from what was promised and doesn’t do what we need it to do.

“We’ll be working closely with government and health to ensure we continue to fix the problems that Acacia does not solve yet.”

But it is not just the system that has been plagued with problems.

In September, the family of former head of solution delivery at DCDD, Shaun Joyce whose death is now being investigated, spoke out about the “toxic” work culture within the department.

Shaun Joyce was a former employ at DCDD and at times, worked 70 hours a week trying to meet deadlines.

Former employees and Shaun’s family members described how the constant pressure, impossible deadlines and ignorant managers created a workplace of “absolute hell”.

When approached for comment on the upcoming rollout, DCDD said “updated” system has been changed and comprehensively tested.

“The updated system incorporates a comprehensive range of software updates and changes and has been subject to rigorous clinical safety assessments,” a spokeswoman said.

“Readiness for re-implementation has also been independently verified by expert consultants.”

To better support hospital staff, the department said experienced Acacia users would be on hand to offer help and advice during the implementation and afterwards for “as long as needed”.

They failed to answer on how staff within the DCDD will be supported through this time given the recent allegations about the workplace culture and demands.