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The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) and Royal Darwin Hospital's ability to respond to disasters has been boosted with the signing of an agreement with Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

Minister for Health Kon Vatskalis helped launch the Agreement in Brisbane today, made possible through Federal Government funding. The Commonwealth Government has committed $120 million until 2013 to maintain and enhance disaster response preparedness.

The agreement will provide $3.2 million over four years to the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and Royal Darwin Hospital and offer education and training opportunities for medical and nursing staff.

“RDH is recognised nationally for its disaster response preparedness as well as having the capacity to treat victims with critical injuries and to rapidly deploy trained staff to disaster sites,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane will work collaboratively  in the event that RDH is required to respond to a national incident.”

Mr Vatskalis said the agreement will provide the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and Royal Darwin Hospital with improved disaster response and emergency management plans.

“Queensland has a strong history of providing assistance to the Territory in times of need,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“This new formal agreement will allow RDH to supplement its medical response capacity through access to a pool of medical staff, as well providing RDH staff with opportunities to enhance their skills and education.”

The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, now headed by Executive Director Dr Len Notaras, was established 2005.

It has responded to disaster emergencies many times and most recently the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre medical team, headed by Royal Darwin Hospital's Dr Ian Norton, led the field team in the retrieval of the most urgent and critical cases following the boat blast off Ashmore Reef.

The Centre has also developed a trauma nursing service and burns nursing service, upgrade of burns facilities and spent $15 million on equipment and critical infrastructure.

Contact: Maria Billias 0401 119 746

Related files:
Vatskalis.0511.PAH.pdf ( 286.39 kb )