Palmerston Regional Hospital temporarily closes Phlebotomy Clinic for second time in four weeks

NT Health has temporarily closed a clinical service at a Top End hospital for the second time in weeks due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

NT Health confirmed that the Palmerston Regional Hospital would temporarily close its Phlebotomy Clinic, the blood collection service, due to “ unforeseen circumstances”.

Palmerston Hospital has closed its pathology services for the second time in weeks due to staffing shortfalls, meaning Territorians hoping to find the cause of their medical mysteries will have to look elsewhere.

NT Health confirmed the Palmerston Regional Hospital would temporarily close its Phlebotomy Clinic, the blood collection service, due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

A spokeswoman said the 11 day closure was due to “unexpected staff absences, including illness”.

On Thursday the clinic announced it would shut down its services for that day and Friday, and would be closed all next week until Monday, January 15.

The Health Department said Territorians could alternatively visit the Royal Darwin Hospital Phlebotomy room, Western Diagnostic Pathology Collection Centre at Gateway Shopping Centre or the Palmerston Super Clinic.

NT Health confirmed that the Palmerston Regional Hospital would temporarily close its Phlebotomy Clinic. Picture: Supplied

This is the second time in four weeks the clinic has been closed, with the service also shutting on December 15 “due to staff illness”.

A NT Health spokeswoman said the department was “actively recruiting to fill vacant positions in this service”.

According to the Commissioner of Public Employment the Territory’s public health sector has lost 582 full-time equivalent workers in the 12 months to June 2023, dropping to 7373 workers across the entire NT Health network.