Popular private Darwin paediatric clinic closing down

A POPULAR private Darwin paediatric clinic is closing down in a blow to Territory children and families.

Darwin Private Hospital

A POPULAR private Darwin paediatric clinic is closing down in a blow to Territory children and families but the clinic’s owner has assured patients there will be no shortage of specialists as a result.

In a letter to patients and families, Darwin Paediatrics, which is based at Darwin Private Hospital, says “It is with great sadness and regret to inform you our practice will be closing on December 31, 2020.”

“We want to thank you for giving us the privilege of being able to help you and your family for your medical needs and wish you the best of luck for your future.

“With the clinic closing, we will no longer be able to provide ongoing paediatrics services.”

Dr Robert Tait from Darwin Paediatrics

The clinic’s owner Robert Tait said the business had been his “complete passion” since opening it five years ago and he was very sad to be leaving town due to family commitments.

Dr Tait said while he’d been unable to find another doctor to take over the clinic, there were plenty of paediatricians in the public system who could manage the care of his patients.

“It’s been hard to find paediatricians to take over the practice and work in private, it’s been difficult to entice people to take over the practice and run it,” he said.

“I’m going to miss the Northern Territory and I’m sad that I haven’t been able to pass it on to another paediatrician.”

Dr Tait said his colleague Dr JR Gadil would follow up with his patients in rooms elsewhere in Darwin while other families could see specialists at Royal Darwin Hospital.

The Health Department was contacted for comment.