A new 32-bed ward will open at Royal Darwin Hospital
Royal Darwin Hospital will receive 32 new beds in a new $25m facility set to be built next year to help ease the pressure on the current system. Read when it’s expected to open.
Northern Territory
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A tender to build a new 32-bed ward at the Royal Darwin Hospital has just been put on the market by the NT government.
The new ward will comprise of a services area located on the ground floor and 32 beds on the first floor.
On a day-to-day basis the ward will serve bariatric, renal and general patients.
Earlier this year, the government announced that it would spend $2bn on health in the Territory, listing more hospital beds as a top priority.
A combination of staff shortages and a spike in patient admissions has led to increased pressure on the hospital’s capacity to provide beds.
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles revealed earlier this month that the Royal Darwin and Palmerston hospitals had nine code yellows in the last financial year due to bed capacity issues.
Ms Fyles said 47 elective surgeries had to be cancelled at the Royal Darwin due to overcapacity and that over half a million dollars had already been spent to buy bed services from Darwin Private Hospital.
A $25m ward was confirmed to be built as a fixed facility and construction to begin over the next 12-18 months.
The main tower at Royal Darwin currently has 280 beds.
The 32 beds marks a big improvement for the hospital.
“We are committed to ensuring our health system is modern, fit-for-purpose and sustainable, so we can provide the best health care possible,” Ms Fyles said.
The multimillion dollar facility will include negative pressure single rooms, standard bariatric single rooms, general and single bedrooms as well as renal dialysis incorporated into each of the beds.
The ward will also included offices and a team room.
Construction will begin in early 2024 with the new ward expected to be able to accept patients from early 2025.
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