Royal Darwin Hospital to receive new 32-bed modular ward by 2025

More beds will be available at Royal Darwin Hospital as the sector grapples with extended wait times and multiple Code Yellows. Read how the hospital system will fare from Budget 2024.

Royal Darwin Hospital will get millions in funding for Budget 2024. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A new 32-bed modular ward will be open at Royal Darwin Hospital in just over a year in hopes of increasing capacity for the struggling facility.

The NT government announced on Tuesday the $18.2 million construction tender had been awarded to local company Aspire.

The ward, which will begin to be built within months, is expected to be up and running by mid-2025.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler and Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Minister Selena Uibo announce the latest updates for construction on the Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Royal Darwin Hospital. Picture: Sierra Haigh

It is the latest announcement in a slew of infrastructure works for the RDH, as part of a $107 million injection to improving hospital capacity.

Twenty-five million has been promised to expand the mental health inpatient unit, $22.6 million to upgrade the mortuary, pathology and bereavement facility and $6.6 million for the mental health stabilisation assessment and referral area unit.

Health services spending makes up $2.2 billion in this year’s Budget.

Health Minister Selena Uibo said the government was committed to improving the health system.

Health Minister Selena Uibo has announced a tender has been awarded for a new modular ward at RDH. picture: Supplied

“We acknowledge bed capacity is a challenge (for) the Territory health system and this is why we are investing in infrastructure that is fit for purpose for Territorians,” she said.

“The new modular ward will improve care for Territorians across the board as Royal Darwin Hospital is the major hospital for the Top End — It will also help ease pressure for emergency health care.”

RDH has been forced to call a Code Yellow — signifying an internal emergency — at least eight times in the past 12 months, often due to surges in patient capacity.

The emergency department is also struggling, with recent data showing only half of patients being shown in the recommended time frame.