NT Health: Royal Darwin and Palmerston hospitals overwhelmed by influenza presentation

A third Code Yellow – denoting an internal emergency – in three weeks has been called at Royal Darwin and Palmerston hospitals, as non-critical patients are urged to stay away.

A third Code Yellow has been declared at Royal Darwin and Palmerston hospitals.

The third internal emergency in three weeks has been declared at Royal Darwin and Palmerston hospitals amid a “substantial increase” in presentations of influenza A, coupled with other pressures.

NT Health issued a statement at 3pm Tuesday revealing actions were being taken to “proactively manage capacity” at the hospitals.

“Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals continue to experience significant pressures and a peak in demand due to a substantial increase in presentations of influenza A and sustained demand in other areas of the service, particularly patients awaiting aged care,” the statement read.

“A Code Yellow has been declared at Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals (RDPH) and actions are being undertaken to proactively manage capacity at RDPH and strategies are in place to ease pressure and ensure ongoing patient safety.”

Residents of the greater Darwin area were urged to only present at the emergency department in the case of health emergencies.

According to figures provided by NT Health, there have already been more than 200 confirmed cases of influenza in the Territory this year, mostly in the Top End and East Arnhem regions.

For the first time, those most at risk of severe influenza will be able to receive a free vaccine from participating community pharmacies. Picture: iStock

Last year saw the second highest number of flu cases recorded in the NT in the past decade, second to 2022 when Covid-19 restrictions eased.

In 2023, 2869 cases of flu were recorded, compared to 4956 in 2022, 76 in 2021, 289 in 2020, and 1876 in 2019.

Dr Danielle Stewart, of Northside Health NT, said that her practice was yet to see the impact of the influenza wave.

“We haven’t seen an increase in flu cases or any significant numbers, which is strange given the numbers reported,” she said.

“We are ready though, including stocking combined rapid antigen tests for Covid-19 and influenza A and B.”

Earlier this week, NT Health announced the 2024 influenza vaccination was now available for Territorians over the age of six months.

For the first time, those most at risk of severe influenza will be able to receive a free vaccine from participating community pharmacies as part of the National Immunisation Program.

Tuesday’s Code Yellow follows on from previous Code Yellows declared on March 27 and April 3, both of which were due to too many patients and not enough beds.

The NT News previously reported that health bosses believe a silver bullet to loosening bed block could be transitioning 56 long stay patients at RDPH into the aged care system.

However, their plans are being hindered by an overwhelmed aged care system, with NTCOSS, the Territory’s peak social services body, reporting anecdotal waits for aged care beds of up to one year.

The federal Department of Health and Aged Care said there were only four aged care beds currently available in the greater Darwin area.

CLP health spokesman Bill Yan laid blame at the feet of the Territory Labor Government, saying health system pressures will only resolve once crime and alcoholism are eased.