Former designer of Palmerston Hospital Dr Neale Fong involved in review of facility

A well-respected doctor who helped design the Palmerston Regional Hospital has been revealed as the person leading a review into the troubled facility.

ONE of the people who drew up the design of the troubled Palmerston Regional Hospital is the director of the company which has been now been tasked with reviewing it.

But Health Minister Natasha Fyles and the Australian Medical Association have both defended the decision, saying he was a “experienced and independent consultant”.

NT Health announced last week that Australis Health Advisory had been appointed to review PRH amid ongoing worker shortages affecting the Top End’s health service.

The NT News understands Dr Neale Fong was involved in the ‘Original Design Group’ for the PRH.

Correspondence seen by the NT News shows Dr Fong labelling himself the “external clinical advisor” to the design.

Dr Fong’s bio on the Australasian College of Health Service Management, states he “currently consults through Australis Health Advisory to a number of key health clients in Australia”.

Dr Fong’s LinkedIn further states that he is the director of Australis, which is a “boutique health consultancy firm based in Western Australia”.

Palmerston Hospital will be reviewed by Australis Health Advisory. Pictures: SUPPLIED

He is also the chairman of the Western Australian Country Health Service.

Dr Fong was contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.

NT Health confirmed to the NT News last week that Australis Health Advisory had been appointed to review the facility.

Ms Fyles defended the choice of consultancy firm, saying Dr Fong was capable of looking into the PRH.

“Neale Fong is an experienced and independent consultant and is well suited to lead this evaluation of Palmerston Regional Hospital,” Ms Fyles said.

“The organisation leading this process is Australis Health Advisory which has expertise in health care delivery in the NT and will provide a valuable contribution to the strategic direction of RDPH.”

NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles (pictured) and AMA NT president Dr Robert Parker said Dr Fong was experienced. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Australian Medical Association NT president Dr Robert Parker said Dr Fong had a “very impressive track record in health administration”.

“Since he was the person who was involved in the initial setting up of the Palmerston Hospital, he’s exactly the right person to review its services,” Dr Parker said.

“It’s often good to have someone from outside the system come in and review it.”

A spokeswoman for NT Health last week said the review into Palmerston Regional Hospital would involve a “three point plan” which would see no reduction in specialist emergency services”.

The second phase involves reviewing the PRH’s role in “the Covid-19 response”.

The review came after the number of emergency beds in operation at the PRH was reduced by a third.