Mrs FINOCCHIARO - 2014-10-21
Can you please update the Assembly on the Northern Territory’s preparedness in light of the Ebola epidemic overseas?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. Like everyone, we are extremely concerned about this Ebola epidemic in West African countries. The Northern Territory is definitely prepared for such an epidemic in the unlikely scenario it happens in this area. I met with my Health minister colleagues at the COAG Health Council a few weeks ago, and we all committed to working collaboratively to prepare for such an epidemic if it occurs.
Royal Darwin Hospital is prepared to deal with any possible cases of Ebola in the Northern Territory. We are extremely well placed as a tertiary hospital, but also as the home of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre
Royal Darwin Hospital has recently undertaken refresher courses in using personal protective equipment in the case of a patient presenting at Royal Darwin Hospital with Ebola. The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre is working closely with the Northern Territory Department of Health to ensure all our protocols and systems are efficient and ready to respond in the event of an outbreak.
The federal minister, Peter Dutton, said last week the rapid deployment of medical staff from Darwin was part of the government’s strategy to deal with any regional outbreak of Ebola. The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and its AUSMAT staff, based at the hospital, are prepared and on alert to respond in an instant.
We have a representative from the Northern Territory working in West Africa as we speak. Dr Ian Norton, the former Deputy Director of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, is now employed by the World Health Organisation and is working in Africa. There may be other citizens of the Northern Territory involved in the response in West Africa, but Dr Norton is probably our most famous person on the ground; we are very proud of him. We are proud of the fact we are the home of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and are well prepared and equipped to respond to any Ebola epidemic should it occur within Australia or the Asian region.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for her question. Like everyone, we are extremely concerned about this Ebola epidemic in West African countries. The Northern Territory is definitely prepared for such an epidemic in the unlikely scenario it happens in this area. I met with my Health minister colleagues at the COAG Health Council a few weeks ago, and we all committed to working collaboratively to prepare for such an epidemic if it occurs.
Royal Darwin Hospital is prepared to deal with any possible cases of Ebola in the Northern Territory. We are extremely well placed as a tertiary hospital, but also as the home of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre
Royal Darwin Hospital has recently undertaken refresher courses in using personal protective equipment in the case of a patient presenting at Royal Darwin Hospital with Ebola. The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre is working closely with the Northern Territory Department of Health to ensure all our protocols and systems are efficient and ready to respond in the event of an outbreak.
The federal minister, Peter Dutton, said last week the rapid deployment of medical staff from Darwin was part of the government’s strategy to deal with any regional outbreak of Ebola. The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and its AUSMAT staff, based at the hospital, are prepared and on alert to respond in an instant.
We have a representative from the Northern Territory working in West Africa as we speak. Dr Ian Norton, the former Deputy Director of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, is now employed by the World Health Organisation and is working in Africa. There may be other citizens of the Northern Territory involved in the response in West Africa, but Dr Norton is probably our most famous person on the ground; we are very proud of him. We are proud of the fact we are the home of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and are well prepared and equipped to respond to any Ebola epidemic should it occur within Australia or the Asian region.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016