Field hospital opens in Katherine as floods continue
The Federal Government has opened a field hospital in East Katherine as significant flooding throughout the Top End and Big Rivers Regions due to Ex-Severe Tropical Cyclone continues to endanger communities.
The opening of an Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) hospital means critical health services will continue to be provided during the prolonged flooding.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, said the opening of the field hospital reflected the Government’s commitment to ensuring continuity of care in the NT during this ‘Higher Risk Weather Season’.
The Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) hospital. Photo: ABC
“This AUSMAT deployment ensures the Katherine community continues to receive high quality, accessible health care while the region responds to flooding and cyclone impacts,” she said.
“This is one of a range of support measures that our Government and Australian Government authorities, including the National Emergency Management Agency, the Australian Defence Force, and the Australian Border Force, have provided to Territorians throughout this Higher Risk Weather Season.
“While initial reports off the back of Ex-Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle are promising, this is still a developing emergency and people need to stay prepared for the potential of significant flooding by listening to the warnings and advice of emergency services.”
The AUSMAT Field Hospital will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring Katherine residents maintain access to emergency and essential healthcare while normal hospital operations are disrupted.
The Field Hospital will deliver:
- A 20 bed Emergency Department and primary health service, including acute care and resuscitation capability
- A one bed maternity delivery suite to support urgent birthing needs
- An on site Medical Laboratory
- Radiology services, including portable imaging
Up to 25 clinical and support staff will operate the facility to ensure continuous service delivery.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain.
A further 20 bed inpatient unit, supporting both adult and paediatric patients, will open by Monday night, 23 March, providing additional surge capacity during this period of significant service disruption.
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians and Senator for the Northern Territory, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the Government would continue to stand with Territory communities during this challenging period.
“This has been a tough wet season for many Territorians, with cyclones in the Top End and floods in the Big Rivers and Barkly regions, as well as Alice Springs,” she said.
“Communities like Numbulwar, Naiyu, Jilkminggan and Palumpa remain relocated, and homelands and outstations in the Nhulunbuy region have also been evacuated.
“The clean-up is continuing in Katherine and nearby communities, and now residents are preparing for more flooding from Ex-Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle.
AUSMAT personnel can remain deployed in Katherine for up to 28 days, ensuring sustained support to the community as recovery efforts continue.
The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) coordinates the Australian Government–funded capability established to ensure Australia’s preparedness for, and response to, domestic and international health emergencies.
The NCCTRC has been funded by the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing since 2004, established after the 2002 Bali Bombings. It maintains Australia’s deployable health emergency response capability through the AUSMAT program.
The NCCTRC has coordinated AUSMAT deployments to a broad range of emergencies both in Australia and overseas, including recent responses to the Vanuatu and Myanmar earthquake, and the Samoa dengue fever outbreak. During Covid, the NCCTRC managed the quarantine of thousands of returning Australians and arrivals at the Howard Springs ‘resilience’ centre.
“This is an extremely challenging time for the Katherine community, and I know the last few weeks have felt relentless,” Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour said.
“This Field Hospital will be an important step in ensuring there is an appropriate level of healthcare and service throughout this emergency.”
