Fears for hospital's structural integrity and staff ‘shaken’ after Cyclone Fina ceiling collapse
The NT’s main hospital shed bricks from five storeys up during TC Fina, sparking urgent questions about the 44-year-old building's ability to withstand stronger storms.
Serious concerns have been raised about the structural integrity of Royal Darwin Hospital after bricks showered down into a waiting area on the first floor during a 4 sqm ceiling collapse at the height of Tropical Cyclone Fina.
On Monday morning, fresh images emerged of a section of brickwork that appeared to have sheared away on the exterior of the building at least five storeys up, landing on an awning below.
Given authorities are likening TC Fina’s wind strength on Darwin as Category 1, serious concerns are held about how well the ageing building, originally constructed in 1980, would hold up in a stronger weather system.
A source who was working at the hospital when the collapse occurred on Saturday evening, said only moments earlier people were standing at the vending machine where the ceiling caved in and it was incredibly lucky no one was injured – or worse.
When queried about the structural concerns at a press conference on Monday morning, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro allayed concerns about the integrity of the building.
Ms Finocchiaro said the hospital was back to full and normal operating and people could now go and visit their loved ones.
“I don’t know the exact detail of why that incident did happen, with a 4x4 metre area that collapsed. But we will be making sure that is repaired as soon as possible, and it’s not impacting any operations and hasn’t impacted operations,” she said.
“The area where the roof collapsed has been isolated and everything is back open as normal … there has been a small disruption to elective surgeries.
“About 10 elective surgeries have been cancelled today and about six tomorrow, which is very disappointing for the people who’ve obviously been eagerly awaiting the necessary surgery and we apologise for that.
“But otherwise our hospitals are back fully functioning and we’re very, very pleased and thankful to all of our nurses and doctors who worked tirelessly throughout the cyclone, leaving their families to go and look after Territorians who needed their care the most.”
Indeed on Monday, a hospital source confirmed construction crews were working in the affected area to carry out repairs.
Dr Sara Watson, general manager at Royal Darwin Hospital, said the impacted area has been isolated and elective surgeries are being transferred to Palmerston Regional Hospital where possible.
“The area has been isolated while safety checks and repair works is being completed,” she said.
“A short stay ward with 16 beds has been affected due to the ceiling collapse.
“This had led to some elective surgeries either being transferred to Palmerston Regional Hospital, or rescheduled.
“Patients with scheduled treatments or surgeries should continue to attend appointments unless they have been contacted directly by their healthcare team.”
NT Health failed to provide an update on the safety assessment so far but said they will continue to work with the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure on repairing the building.
They said the facility undergoes regular building maintenance checks and repairs from NT Government.
Royal Darwin Hospital staff ‘concerned’ and hospital ‘trying to tell us it’s tired’
The incident had left hospital staff “shaken up”, according to Australian Medical Association Northern Territory president, Dr John Zorbas, which he said was understandable given it happened in an area staff used many times a day.
While no one was injured and NT Health has said the building is safe, Dr Zorbas said steps needed to be taken to ensure a future cyclone did not end more tragically.
“Obviously staff are concerned and we’re relying on reports from the health department that the building is safe,” he said.
“That only comforts people so much. We want to use this as an opportunity to move forward on where we go from here.
“RDH is safe and standing for today but it’s what we do tomorrow that we need to focus on.
“The hospital is trying to tell us it’s tired.”
The Australian Medical Association is one of the many bodies in the Territory which has been raising concerns about the hospital’s ageing infrastructure.
While NT Health chief executive, Chris Hosking, and Health Minister, Steve Edgington, have stated talks have begun on finding a site for the NT’s next tertiary hospital, the process will be lengthy and expensive.
A process, which Dr Zorbas said, could not wait any longer.
“We’re going to continue to have extreme weather events in the tropics and Royal Darwin Hospital is going to continue to age,” he said.
“We cannot patch repair it indefinitely; we have to start moving forward those discussions about what will take its place.”
The delivery of a new hospital will be costly and need investment from both the NT and federal governments, but with ongoing disagreements between officials on hospital funding, an agreement on a new hospital seems far off.
“We can’t let replacement of end of life infrastructure become part of that politics,” Dr Zorbas added.
“This is not a decision for politics, this is a decision about preserving healthcare services in the Territory.
“We need funding announcements, we need architectural plans, we need the stuff on the ground to start happening, not the pie in the sky talk.”
The Chief Minister was also asked about the hospital’s future and said it was no secret additional hospital funding was required.
“This is a national debate raging at the moment among state ministers around the country, with the federal government around that important hospital funding,” she said.
“We know that here in the Territory, we get 7 per cent under the national average.
“This is hundreds of millions of dollars being deprived of Territorians for what is rightfully their hospital care.
“We just need them to do the right thing on this, and it’s an issue.
“I’ll continue to deal with the Prime Minister as part of all state ministers who are very concerned about that hospital level of funding when it comes to this issue.”
NT Health Minister Steve Edgington has been contacted for further comment.
Cyclone exposes ‘$400m gaping hole’ in NT hospital funding
