November 26, 2025 • 8 mins
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Steve Edgington, the Health Minister, is on the line. Good
morning to you, Steve, Good.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Morning Katie, and good morning to all listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Now I know you've got a busy morning ahead with
Parliament sitting, but well, Minister, we've seen that another section
of brick wall we're being told at Royal Darwin Hospital
requires investigation after one area already collapsed as we all
know during the cyclone. So photos show this brick wall
bulging and the Department of Infrastructure saying that they've isolated
(00:29):
the area as a safety precaution. What's the go with
this second area of the wall at the hospital.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Yeah, well that's correct, Katie. There has been a second
section identified that is being investigated at the moment, but
as you said, that area has been isolated, there has
been precautions put in place. What we do want to
make sure is that everybody is safe, whether they're visitors, patients, staff,
all of our frontline workers. We want to ensure that
(00:57):
everybody is safe in that area. But yes, we want
to carry through with that investigation, but make sure everything
is safe for everybody. And some of that work will
continue today and we're hoping to have people on site
tomorrow that will take further action regarding the damage that's
already there, Steve.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Earlier in the week we heard from the general manager
of the hospital who said that sixteen beds had sort
of been I can't think of the right wording, but
taken out of action. I guess as a result of
the initial instance of these bricks falling that we saw
on the weekend. What's the go as of today, I mean,
if we still got beds that are not able to
be used as a result of this situation.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
No, all beds are being used, Katie. There was some
minor disruption, and there was some minor disruption two day
surgery as well, but everything is back on schedule and
at his business as usual. There has been some minor
modifications at the hospital to ensure that there's a clear
passage around that damaged area.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Steve, there is no doubt you and I literally spoke
about this last week. The week prior, I'd spoken to
your chief executive of the Department of Health about the
fact that we need to start planning for a new hospital.
How badly does this situation actually highlight the fact that
we need to really get that planning underway sooner? Rather
(02:19):
than later.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Well, the planning has already commenced, and you know, as
a chief executive said, and I've previously said, we have
done some pre planning and we are looking at what
the short term long term model looks like. So there
has been some planning. But to plan for a new
hospital requires a bit more than a conversation and putting
(02:42):
some words on a paper. Does require investigating what the
current situation is with the current hospital, where would a
new site be, what are the costings, and what would
the new hospital look like. So this requires some very
careful planning over a period of time to get to
that stage where we may or may not need a
new hospital. When what I say, may not need to
(03:04):
there are options that we would certainly consider whether we
need a whole new hospital or of course one of
the options is to build onto the Palmston Hospital. These
are things that we need to investigate and look into
very carefully before we make any final decisions.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
At the moment though, we can't even staff the Palmerston Hospital.
So how we get to a point where we're able to,
you know, for itak to be our tertiary hospital.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Well, there's a couple of things that could happen. And
you know, we're building onto the current roil day on
hospital at the moment with a new mental health ward
and the thirty two bed ward going on at the
side of the hospital at the moment. What we need
to think about is any future new construction, where should
that be. Should we be either delaying that in preparation
(03:48):
for a new hospital, or should we be moving any
new new works to the Parmeston Hospital and gradually build
that new hospital. These are the things that need to
be considered very carefully. So you know, and I can't
commit to either option, but there are a range of
options that we need to investigate.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
And it's the reason we can't sort of commit is
because you don't know how much money you're going to have.
I mean, we're all ready so under the pump when
it comes to the funding of our health system.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Well, and that's exactly right. There's a whole lot of
things that we need to look at. And as you said,
we're under the pump. We're two hundred million dollars short
when it comes to the National Health Reform Agreement, and
we're a further two hundred short when it comes to
things like age care, running the care Flight contract, and
of course we're still ninety five million short in primary care,
so we're four hundred million dollars behind. What we do
(04:37):
need is the federal government to work with us. As
I said, we want to negotiate in good faith. We
want to see what territory is entitled to. What we
want to see is equity and equality in the health
services here in the Northern Territory when you look at
the funding that the Eastern States are getting at the moment.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
So, Steve Edgington, are you guys in a situation at
the moment, and are our you know, are our health
department staff in a situation at the moment where you're
already having those discussions with the feds.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Look in regard to a new hospital where we haven't
gone right down that path at the moment. There's some
work that we need to do first before we can
approach the FEDS and all of those things that you
just spoke about, what's really needed, what location, and of
course the dollar situation as well. So no, we haven't
formally put anything to the federal government. What we need
(05:28):
to do is do our homework first so that we're
in a position to have a sensible conversation about it.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
How long do you reckon that'll take? Are we expecting
that to happen over the next couple of months.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Well, the work, as I said, has already briefly begun
and that commenced a few months ago. But there is
a lot more work to do when it comes to
identifying exactly what is needed, what would a new hospital
look like, what services need to be delivered over and
above what we have at the moment. So it could
be some time before in a position to formally approach
(05:58):
the federal.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Government, Minister, I know you for time. The BDO extensions
were announced yesterday, so they essentially if you get a
band drink or order and you go on the BDR
you now go from not just seven days to twenty eight.
Is that correct? Are there going to be programs to
support this to try and make sure that you know
it's a stop like if it is sort of going
to be a stopgap for a problem drinker, can they
(06:21):
get on a program maybe throughout that time to really
try to get off the booze?
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Well, this is real where the real opportunity is. We've
spoken with the police, and of course I think a
lot of people know this already, but seven days is
really not enough time for a person to engage and
consider their options when it comes to therapeutic programs, and
what we want to ensure is that twenty eight days
(06:48):
will provide that opportunity for any person that has a
band drink or order in place to access therapeutic programs
to address the problems that they may have when it
comes to drinking. What we do want to make sure
is that not only are we reducing the level of violence,
but we need to look at how we can prevent
that over the longer term. So this is part of
(07:09):
a package where it'll give police additional powers to put
somebody on the BDR from seven till twenty eight days.
But at the same time, we want to make sure
there's sufficient time for people to identify that they have
a problem and access the programs that are available.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
So those programs still sort of going to be Are
you going to have to nominate yourself to get into
one of those programs.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
At this stage, Yes, they are. That part of it
is voluntary, but you know there are further band drinker
orders that can amount to after the twenty eight day
and there's a three month six month further extension on
those should that behavior continue. But there are ways to
get off the band drinker register, and the way to
(07:52):
get off the band drinker Register is to show that
you have completed the program and that your alcohol problem
is on a pathway to a Dicovery.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Well, Steve Edgington, the Minister for Health, really appreciate your
time this morning. Thanks so much for having a chat
with me.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Thanks Coatie, good morning too.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Thank you
Steve Edgington, the Health Minister, is on the line. Good
morning to you, Steve, Good.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Morning Katie, and good morning to all listeners.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Now I know you've got a busy morning ahead with
Parliament sitting, but well, Minister, we've seen that another section
of brick wall we're being told at Royal Darwin Hospital
requires investigation after one area already collapsed as we all
know during the cyclone. So photos show this brick wall
bulging and the Department of Infrastructure saying that they've isolated
(00:29):
the area as a safety precaution. What's the go with
this second area of the wall at the hospital.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Yeah, well that's correct, Katie. There has been a second
section identified that is being investigated at the moment, but
as you said, that area has been isolated, there has
been precautions put in place. What we do want to
make sure is that everybody is safe, whether they're visitors, patients, staff,
all of our frontline workers. We want to ensure that
(00:57):
everybody is safe in that area. But yes, we want
to carry through with that investigation, but make sure everything
is safe for everybody. And some of that work will
continue today and we're hoping to have people on site
tomorrow that will take further action regarding the damage that's
already there, Steve.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Earlier in the week we heard from the general manager
of the hospital who said that sixteen beds had sort
of been I can't think of the right wording, but
taken out of action. I guess as a result of
the initial instance of these bricks falling that we saw
on the weekend. What's the go as of today, I mean,
if we still got beds that are not able to
be used as a result of this situation.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
No, all beds are being used, Katie. There was some
minor disruption, and there was some minor disruption two day
surgery as well, but everything is back on schedule and
at his business as usual. There has been some minor
modifications at the hospital to ensure that there's a clear
passage around that damaged area.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Steve, there is no doubt you and I literally spoke
about this last week. The week prior, I'd spoken to
your chief executive of the Department of Health about the
fact that we need to start planning for a new hospital.
How badly does this situation actually highlight the fact that
we need to really get that planning underway sooner? Rather
(02:19):
than later.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Well, the planning has already commenced, and you know, as
a chief executive said, and I've previously said, we have
done some pre planning and we are looking at what
the short term long term model looks like. So there
has been some planning. But to plan for a new
hospital requires a bit more than a conversation and putting
(02:42):
some words on a paper. Does require investigating what the
current situation is with the current hospital, where would a
new site be, what are the costings, and what would
the new hospital look like. So this requires some very
careful planning over a period of time to get to
that stage where we may or may not need a
new hospital. When what I say, may not need to
(03:04):
there are options that we would certainly consider whether we
need a whole new hospital or of course one of
the options is to build onto the Palmston Hospital. These
are things that we need to investigate and look into
very carefully before we make any final decisions.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
At the moment though, we can't even staff the Palmerston Hospital.
So how we get to a point where we're able to,
you know, for itak to be our tertiary hospital.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Well, there's a couple of things that could happen. And
you know, we're building onto the current roil day on
hospital at the moment with a new mental health ward
and the thirty two bed ward going on at the
side of the hospital at the moment. What we need
to think about is any future new construction, where should
that be. Should we be either delaying that in preparation
(03:48):
for a new hospital, or should we be moving any
new new works to the Parmeston Hospital and gradually build
that new hospital. These are the things that need to
be considered very carefully. So you know, and I can't
commit to either option, but there are a range of
options that we need to investigate.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
And it's the reason we can't sort of commit is
because you don't know how much money you're going to have.
I mean, we're all ready so under the pump when
it comes to the funding of our health system.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Well, and that's exactly right. There's a whole lot of
things that we need to look at. And as you said,
we're under the pump. We're two hundred million dollars short
when it comes to the National Health Reform Agreement, and
we're a further two hundred short when it comes to
things like age care, running the care Flight contract, and
of course we're still ninety five million short in primary care,
so we're four hundred million dollars behind. What we do
(04:37):
need is the federal government to work with us. As
I said, we want to negotiate in good faith. We
want to see what territory is entitled to. What we
want to see is equity and equality in the health
services here in the Northern Territory when you look at
the funding that the Eastern States are getting at the moment.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
So, Steve Edgington, are you guys in a situation at
the moment, and are our you know, are our health
department staff in a situation at the moment where you're
already having those discussions with the feds.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Look in regard to a new hospital where we haven't
gone right down that path at the moment. There's some
work that we need to do first before we can
approach the FEDS and all of those things that you
just spoke about, what's really needed, what location, and of
course the dollar situation as well. So no, we haven't
formally put anything to the federal government. What we need
(05:28):
to do is do our homework first so that we're
in a position to have a sensible conversation about it.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
How long do you reckon that'll take? Are we expecting
that to happen over the next couple of months.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Well, the work, as I said, has already briefly begun
and that commenced a few months ago. But there is
a lot more work to do when it comes to
identifying exactly what is needed, what would a new hospital
look like, what services need to be delivered over and
above what we have at the moment. So it could
be some time before in a position to formally approach
(05:58):
the federal.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Government, Minister, I know you for time. The BDO extensions
were announced yesterday, so they essentially if you get a
band drink or order and you go on the BDR
you now go from not just seven days to twenty eight.
Is that correct? Are there going to be programs to
support this to try and make sure that you know
it's a stop like if it is sort of going
to be a stopgap for a problem drinker, can they
(06:21):
get on a program maybe throughout that time to really
try to get off the booze?
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Well, this is real where the real opportunity is. We've
spoken with the police, and of course I think a
lot of people know this already, but seven days is
really not enough time for a person to engage and
consider their options when it comes to therapeutic programs, and
what we want to ensure is that twenty eight days
(06:48):
will provide that opportunity for any person that has a
band drink or order in place to access therapeutic programs
to address the problems that they may have when it
comes to drinking. What we do want to make sure
is that not only are we reducing the level of violence,
but we need to look at how we can prevent
that over the longer term. So this is part of
(07:09):
a package where it'll give police additional powers to put
somebody on the BDR from seven till twenty eight days.
But at the same time, we want to make sure
there's sufficient time for people to identify that they have
a problem and access the programs that are available.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
So those programs still sort of going to be Are
you going to have to nominate yourself to get into
one of those programs.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
At this stage, Yes, they are. That part of it
is voluntary, but you know there are further band drinker
orders that can amount to after the twenty eight day
and there's a three month six month further extension on
those should that behavior continue. But there are ways to
get off the band drinker register, and the way to
(07:52):
get off the band drinker Register is to show that
you have completed the program and that your alcohol problem
is on a pathway to a Dicovery.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Well, Steve Edgington, the Minister for Health, really appreciate your
time this morning. Thanks so much for having a chat
with me.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Thanks Coatie, good morning too.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Thank you
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