NT Health is continuing to respond to simultaneous weather events occurring across the Territory.
We have undertaken significant planning in preparation for Cyclone Narelle crossing over the Territory, including potential impacts to people in already affected areas.
We are working with our NT Health staff to redeploy people with clinical skills or experience in logistics and admininistration to frontline roles to reduce fatigue across our workforce.
Demand for healthcare services continues to increase across our health system as a result of major flooding right across the Territory, and the evacuation of remote Territorians to our regional centres.
This has resulted in significant pressure and bed block at Royal Darwin Hospital, Palmerston Regional Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital and the Code Yellow alerts in place are expected to remain until next week.
We are in a unique situation - where we are responding to emergency events while also undertaking recovery efforts at three evacuation centres in Darwin and establishing a new centre in Batchelor.
Our primary health care teams are located in all evacuation centres to provide essential health care to evacuees. Our teams are also using this as an opportunity to provide in-reach services, including oral health and hearing services.
Our people at NT Health are doing an absolutely amazing job, under intense pressure and with little relief in sight. We would like to thank all Territorians for your ongoing support and ask that you please be patient and kind when accessing health care services at this time.
Cyclone Narelle
Significant planning has been undertaken across the East Arnhem, Greater Darwin and Big Rivers Regions in preparation for Cyclone Narelle to cross into the Territory.
As the weather situation is unpredictable, we have prepared for a range of possible response scenarios and will continue to assess and pivot as required.
The medically vulnerable on Groote Eylandt were evacuated to Darwin yesterday and are in the care of NT Health across various facilities.
Gove District Hospital is prepared for any impacts and has all emergency response plans in place. The hospital also serves as a cyclone shelter, if required.
The Katherine Hospital has plans in place to evacuate in the event major flooding occurs. As part of our planning and preparedness, the Northern Territory Government and NT Health have requested Commonwealth Government support through the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) to lead the emergency response in Katherine, including the establishment of a temporary health facility, as required.
The NCCTRC will be in Katherine later today and will be reviewing a number of sites to determine the most appropriate location to establish the facility.
Royal Darwin Hospital is on also standby to provide support, and the Corella Ward in the Darwin Private Hospital is available for use, following the repatriation of patients back to Katherine earlier this week.
Accessing health care
If you are experiencing a health emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics provide free medical care when it's urgent but not an emergency.
There are six Urgent Care Clinics in the Northern Territory. You can walk in to receive bulk billed urgent care. To find a clinic, visit the After Hours Medical Care here page on the NT Health website. You can also visit your local GP.
If you are unsure of how to manage your illness or injury, visit www.healthdirect.gov.au [http://www.healthdirect.gov.au/?fbclid=IwAR2q8dU8p4mXIL66SYk1qAVe8AZf-33mSRId3gfEBMqjpljQ4aCxC8FctDs] or call Healthdirect for free on 1800 022 222.
Emergency response
Angurugu, Umbakumba, Milyakburra and Numbulwar should prepare for a possible disruption to water services during the weekend.
People in these communities should prepare and store water for drinking and basic hygiene requirements.
