August 31, 2026 • 9 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, we heard yesterday the peak bodies representing the Northern
Territories doctors and nurses are calling for a code yellow
to be reinstated at Royal Darwin Hospital, labelling the situation
as a dangerous state of disaster, warning that Territorians are
being placed at immediate risk of harm. The Chief Minister
played down those concerns when we asked her about them
(00:20):
yesterday and the Health Department has confirmed that they're working
on a new model of care, including the development of
a rapid assessment clinic. Now joining us on the line
is the Deputy Chief Executive of NT Regional Services, Fiona Renshaw.
Good morning to you, Fiona.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Good morning, Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Thank you so much for your time this morning. Fiona,
we've heard this call from medical professionals demanding a code
yellow be called again, despite it only being lifted a
short time ago after more than 20 days. Does it
need to be reinstated?
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Thanks, Katie. Look, I'll start with saying a code yellow
is called as a measure for hospitals nationally to manage
an internal facility emergency situation. such as the major surge
in patient demand that exceeds the operation capacity. We call
(01:16):
a cogello in line with the demand framework, which takes
into consideration a number of factors. Right now, at present,
we do not require a cogello. I can tell you
this morning, we have beds available in the system.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Yeah, right. How many?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Looking at the system, we would have approximately 18 beds available.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
So at this point in time, if we've got 18
beds available, why do you think we've got the union
saying that we need a code yellow?
Speaker 2 (01:47):
I think, Katie, it's fair to say that the system
can change very quickly. And that's why it's extremely important
that we continue to review and manage Our bed capacity,
which we do on a regular basis, we ensure that
we review our ICU, our coronary care beds. So it's
(02:09):
really important for us to be able to manage on
a daily basis because of the shifting system that the
healthcare system sees.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Now, I know you said 16 beds available. So does
that mean there's no double bunking or anything like that
happening at the moment in emergency?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
No, the beds that I'm referring to are our inpatient beds.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Okay. So we are still pretty busy within the emergency department?
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Yes, we are busy in the emergency department. We've seen
a stabilisation of our presentations. I've reviewed that this morning.
The one thing that I can say is that we
are seeing really good discharges against our admissions, which really
helps a system that's under demand.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
What do you attribute that to? How come we are
seeing those discharges?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
That's attributed directly to our health staff, to our doctors,
to our nurses, to our allied health clinicians who are
working really hard to ensure that we're seeing high discharges
and well-coordinated discharges.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
And Fiona, I know that on social media over the weekend,
you were quoted as saying that NT Health is working
with doctors to come up with a new model of care,
including the development of a rapid assessment clinic What does
this look like and how would it work?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Thanks, Katie. Developing new models of care to address demand
on our hospitals is a really important strategy for us
to always consider how we can shift the focus from
a very reactive hospital-based treatment to a very proactive care
that can be provided in alternative care environments. So the
development of the rapid assessment clinic approach I have to say,
(03:53):
is still underway and being worked through. Essentially, we are
working through a pathway of care to assess suitability for
patients to receive care in another location outside of the
emergency department that will be able to evaluate, diagnose and
treat patients with acute semi-urgent conditions to prevent long waits
in our emergency departments and to avoid hospital admissions. We're
(04:17):
going to have a look at other rapid assessment clinics
that have already been established. Yep. for consideration in the
development of the rapid assessment clinic here in Darwin.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
So that's something that they do in other states, is
it Fiona?
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Yes, it absolutely is a strategy that has been implemented.
There are other jurisdictions that have well-developed rapid assessment clinics
that have been in place for over the past 10 years.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
How quickly could that get up and running?
Speaker 2 (04:47):
We are working at a pace where we would hope
to see the rapid assessment clinic. It'll be a phased
in staged approach, but we are looking probably within the
next two to three weeks of having the commencement of
a rapid assessment clinic.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
And where would that be? I mean, is it inside
the current Royal Darwin Hospital? Because I know there'd been
discussion earlier in the week, people sort of, well, certainly
Heidi Criss from the nursing union, raising that potentially the
Corella ward at the private hospital might be utilised in
some way.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
No, we're looking, a rapid assessment clinic is really important
that it will be within the hospital facility. Yeah. But
it'll sit more in an outpatient type clinic. Okay. Rather
than a ward as such.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yeah, right. But within the, obviously within that Royal Darwin
Hospital precinct.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Yes. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Hey, tell me, is the Corella ward being considered in
some way for use?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Okay. Look, we often buy beds from the Darwin Private
Hospital to boost our capacity and we work really closely
with the Darwin Private Hospital and I have to extend
my thanks to them. And I think a really good
example of the use of the Corral Award was when
we evacuated the Catherine Hospital and were able to very
(06:06):
quickly admit our patients from the Catherine Hospital into the
Corral Award facility. I can let you know, Katie, that
we are in discussions with the private hospital to see
how we can better utilise the Cruella ward to help
with our surge capacity.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Okay, that's good to hear as well. It sounds like
there are plenty of options being considered. Fiona, how far
off are we from that new 32-bed ward opening? I
thought we were told the end of August or beginning
of September. Are we far off?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Look, I'd like to start with thanking our health staff
who have actually worked really hard to commission the new
32-bed ward. It's a very complicated process to open new
beds in a hospital. I'm pleased to report that the
new beds will be phased in this week. This is
a great achievement for the teams.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
So this week, that is awesome to hear. How big
a difference is that going to make? when you talk
about the capacity at Royal Darwin Hospital?
Speaker 2 (07:09):
I think it's going to make a significant difference. It
certainly allows us to utilise those beds as a bed
base rather than having to go into surge capacity.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Fiona, are we going to have enough staff to be
able to look after everybody as those additional beds come online?
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Again, I'm really pleased to report that we've had a
really great response from our teams, internal and external, from
NT Health to be able to staff the new ward.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
That's good. That is good to hear. Fiona Renshaw, before
I let you go, what is your message to Territorians
who are really concerned about the situation across health at
the moment, particularly, you know, with those ongoing code yellows?
I know we're not in one at the moment, but
what is your message to Territorians?
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Thank you, Katie. Look, I'd just really like to extend
my ongoing thanks to all of our staff for their
ongoing commitment and their kindness throughout these very challenged periods.
But I also want to extend my thanks to our
communities who have been extremely patient and considerate as well
(08:22):
as we've managed through these challenged times.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Well, Fiona, I will say we've received a number of
messages as well over the last couple of weeks, people
really wanting to thank the staff at the hospital for
the work that they do. You know, some who've had
to present to the emergency department, some who've had to
head in for some reason or another and have really
wanted our listeners to know that the staff there have
(08:46):
done a tremendous job. So we too say a big
thank you to those staff who I know work under
pressure and to be tough at different times.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Thank you, Katie. I will be sure to pass on
my thanks to the team.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Thank you. Well, Fiona Renshaw, I really appreciate your time
this morning. Thank you very much for joining us. It
sounds like you are busy, busy working through everything there for, well,
within the hospital. So thank you for your time.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Thank you.
Well, we heard yesterday the peak bodies representing the Northern
Territories doctors and nurses are calling for a code yellow
to be reinstated at Royal Darwin Hospital, labelling the situation
as a dangerous state of disaster, warning that Territorians are
being placed at immediate risk of harm. The Chief Minister
played down those concerns when we asked her about them
(00:20):
yesterday and the Health Department has confirmed that they're working
on a new model of care, including the development of
a rapid assessment clinic. Now joining us on the line
is the Deputy Chief Executive of NT Regional Services, Fiona Renshaw.
Good morning to you, Fiona.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Good morning, Katie.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Thank you so much for your time this morning. Fiona,
we've heard this call from medical professionals demanding a code
yellow be called again, despite it only being lifted a
short time ago after more than 20 days. Does it
need to be reinstated?
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Thanks, Katie. Look, I'll start with saying a code yellow
is called as a measure for hospitals nationally to manage
an internal facility emergency situation. such as the major surge
in patient demand that exceeds the operation capacity. We call
(01:16):
a cogello in line with the demand framework, which takes
into consideration a number of factors. Right now, at present,
we do not require a cogello. I can tell you
this morning, we have beds available in the system.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Yeah, right. How many?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
Looking at the system, we would have approximately 18 beds available.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
So at this point in time, if we've got 18
beds available, why do you think we've got the union
saying that we need a code yellow?
Speaker 2 (01:47):
I think, Katie, it's fair to say that the system
can change very quickly. And that's why it's extremely important
that we continue to review and manage Our bed capacity,
which we do on a regular basis, we ensure that
we review our ICU, our coronary care beds. So it's
(02:09):
really important for us to be able to manage on
a daily basis because of the shifting system that the
healthcare system sees.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Now, I know you said 16 beds available. So does
that mean there's no double bunking or anything like that
happening at the moment in emergency?
Speaker 2 (02:24):
No, the beds that I'm referring to are our inpatient beds.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Okay. So we are still pretty busy within the emergency department?
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Yes, we are busy in the emergency department. We've seen
a stabilisation of our presentations. I've reviewed that this morning.
The one thing that I can say is that we
are seeing really good discharges against our admissions, which really
helps a system that's under demand.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
What do you attribute that to? How come we are
seeing those discharges?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
That's attributed directly to our health staff, to our doctors,
to our nurses, to our allied health clinicians who are
working really hard to ensure that we're seeing high discharges
and well-coordinated discharges.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
And Fiona, I know that on social media over the weekend,
you were quoted as saying that NT Health is working
with doctors to come up with a new model of care,
including the development of a rapid assessment clinic What does
this look like and how would it work?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Thanks, Katie. Developing new models of care to address demand
on our hospitals is a really important strategy for us
to always consider how we can shift the focus from
a very reactive hospital-based treatment to a very proactive care
that can be provided in alternative care environments. So the
development of the rapid assessment clinic approach I have to say,
(03:53):
is still underway and being worked through. Essentially, we are
working through a pathway of care to assess suitability for
patients to receive care in another location outside of the
emergency department that will be able to evaluate, diagnose and
treat patients with acute semi-urgent conditions to prevent long waits
in our emergency departments and to avoid hospital admissions. We're
(04:17):
going to have a look at other rapid assessment clinics
that have already been established. Yep. for consideration in the
development of the rapid assessment clinic here in Darwin.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
So that's something that they do in other states, is
it Fiona?
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Yes, it absolutely is a strategy that has been implemented.
There are other jurisdictions that have well-developed rapid assessment clinics
that have been in place for over the past 10 years.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
How quickly could that get up and running?
Speaker 2 (04:47):
We are working at a pace where we would hope
to see the rapid assessment clinic. It'll be a phased
in staged approach, but we are looking probably within the
next two to three weeks of having the commencement of
a rapid assessment clinic.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
And where would that be? I mean, is it inside
the current Royal Darwin Hospital? Because I know there'd been
discussion earlier in the week, people sort of, well, certainly
Heidi Criss from the nursing union, raising that potentially the
Corella ward at the private hospital might be utilised in
some way.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
No, we're looking, a rapid assessment clinic is really important
that it will be within the hospital facility. Yeah. But
it'll sit more in an outpatient type clinic. Okay. Rather
than a ward as such.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Yeah, right. But within the, obviously within that Royal Darwin
Hospital precinct.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Yes. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Hey, tell me, is the Corella ward being considered in
some way for use?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Okay. Look, we often buy beds from the Darwin Private
Hospital to boost our capacity and we work really closely
with the Darwin Private Hospital and I have to extend
my thanks to them. And I think a really good
example of the use of the Corral Award was when
we evacuated the Catherine Hospital and were able to very
(06:06):
quickly admit our patients from the Catherine Hospital into the
Corral Award facility. I can let you know, Katie, that
we are in discussions with the private hospital to see
how we can better utilise the Cruella ward to help
with our surge capacity.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Okay, that's good to hear as well. It sounds like
there are plenty of options being considered. Fiona, how far
off are we from that new 32-bed ward opening? I
thought we were told the end of August or beginning
of September. Are we far off?
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Look, I'd like to start with thanking our health staff
who have actually worked really hard to commission the new
32-bed ward. It's a very complicated process to open new
beds in a hospital. I'm pleased to report that the
new beds will be phased in this week. This is
a great achievement for the teams.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
So this week, that is awesome to hear. How big
a difference is that going to make? when you talk
about the capacity at Royal Darwin Hospital?
Speaker 2 (07:09):
I think it's going to make a significant difference. It
certainly allows us to utilise those beds as a bed
base rather than having to go into surge capacity.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
Fiona, are we going to have enough staff to be
able to look after everybody as those additional beds come online?
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Again, I'm really pleased to report that we've had a
really great response from our teams, internal and external, from
NT Health to be able to staff the new ward.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
That's good. That is good to hear. Fiona Renshaw, before
I let you go, what is your message to Territorians
who are really concerned about the situation across health at
the moment, particularly, you know, with those ongoing code yellows?
I know we're not in one at the moment, but
what is your message to Territorians?
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Thank you, Katie. Look, I'd just really like to extend
my ongoing thanks to all of our staff for their
ongoing commitment and their kindness throughout these very challenged periods.
But I also want to extend my thanks to our
communities who have been extremely patient and considerate as well
(08:22):
as we've managed through these challenged times.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Well, Fiona, I will say we've received a number of
messages as well over the last couple of weeks, people
really wanting to thank the staff at the hospital for
the work that they do. You know, some who've had
to present to the emergency department, some who've had to
head in for some reason or another and have really
wanted our listeners to know that the staff there have
(08:46):
done a tremendous job. So we too say a big
thank you to those staff who I know work under
pressure and to be tough at different times.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Thank you, Katie. I will be sure to pass on
my thanks to the team.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Thank you. Well, Fiona Renshaw, I really appreciate your time
this morning. Thank you very much for joining us. It
sounds like you are busy, busy working through everything there for, well,
within the hospital. So thank you for your time.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Thank you.
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