A peak medical body in the Territory has slammed the St John NT organisation

St John NT has been accused of having its head in the sand and doubts have been raised about the organisation’s ability to run the Territory’s ambulance service in a letter from the doctors’ association. Read the details.

Generic St Johns Ambulance Northern Territory imagery. Picture: Che Chorley

St John NT has been accused of having its head in the sand, with doubts raised about the organisation’s ability to “run a safe and effective ambulance service”.

The accusations against the organisation were levelled by the peak body representing medical practioners in the Northern Territory — the Australian Medical Association NT (AMA NT).

AMA NT president Dr Rob Parker made these claims in response to Dr Craig Ellis’ critical review into clinical governance at St John NT, as well as the recent vote of no confidence in the St John NT organisation by the paramedics union.

Dr Rob Parker did not hold back on his tongue lashing of the St John NT organisation. Picture: Julianne Osborne

Dr Ellis said during the review concerns were raised with him that some clinical processes “may have resulted in the deaths of patients”, but conceded he was unable to “determine the veracity of these claims”.

In response to the damning report, a St John NT spokesman said most of Dr Ellis’ recommendations had already been implemented, and stated none of the cases Dr Ellis had referred to had been reported back to the organisation — a claim Dr Parker questioned.

“AMA NT finds it impossible to imagine that clinical incidents were not communicated back to St John NT,” Dr Parker said.

“If St John NT is in denial about the reality of this situation, what hope is there that the organisation can be improved.”

Another major concern raised by Dr Parker, Dr Ellis and the paramedics union was St John NT’s “unusual decision” to scrap the role of chief medical officer (CMO).

Dr Parker and the union both said the role was crucial for patient and paramedic safety, with Dr Parker claiming the Territory was the only jurisdiction in Australia without such a position.

“We are calling for the immediate recruitment of a CMO for St John NT,” Dr Parker said.

“This role needs to have full autonomy and authority to improve safety for patients and paramedics in the Northern Territory.”

A St John NT spokesman responded to the accusations made by Dr Parker, saying the CMO role was part of “ongoing discussions with NT Health”.

The spokesman also said they were “disappointed” AMA NT had not reached out to St John NT to discuss its concerns, inviting Dr Parker to see the progress his organisation had made.

“Our first priority is, and always will be, the wellbeing of our staff and our patients,” the spokesman said.

In the last financial year there was an increase in 11,000 emergency calls and 2,500 more patients transported to hospital. Picture: Che Chorley

“We would be happy to meet with the AMA NT President to directly discuss his concerns and provide an overview of the improvements we have made to our clinical safety systems over the past 12 months,” he said.

Dr Parker said he remained concerned about St John NT’s service — suggesting all ambulance service delivery options should be considered.

“It is not clear to AMA NT that St John NT is able to run a safe ambulance service in the Northern Territory,“ Dr Parker said.

“All options for how the Territory delivers ambulance services need to be on the table.”