The Department of Health and Community Services today commenced an investigation into two sentinel events that recently occurred where patients in remote areas died before they could be airlifted for hospital treatment.
Over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of February nine patients across the NT required transportation to hospital or inter-hospital transfer. In two cases, a male patient from Wadeye and a male patient from Galiwinku died before they could be transferred to hospital.
Assistant Secretary, Acute Care, Peter Campos said the Health Department's Chief Health Officer will undertake an investigation as a matter of urgency as to the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the availability of aeromedical services.
"These events are tragic as our health staff always do their best to save lives and we offer our sympathies to the families of both men."
"Both deaths have been reported to the Coroner and the outcomes of the Chief Health Officer's investigations will also be referred to the Coroner."
"Until the investigations have occurred we cannot be sure that a retrieval would have resulted in different outcomes, but we are concerned to know what improvements can be made to the system to better respond to remote area needs."
"The aeromedical service is directed to respond to patients with the most need first, similar to the triage system applied in emergency situations."
"Our medical staff are regularly called upon to make decisions based on the priority care needs of patients and against this backdrop make decisions about the deployment of resources."
"The investigation will examine the circumstances in both cases including the availability of aeromedical services and staff at the time," Mr Campos said.
Contact: Sonia Peters 0401 119 550
Release date: 12 February 2008
