Palmerston Regional Hospital is celebrating its first anniversary this week with the opening of the Pete Davies Auditorium.

The 116 bed, $170 million hospital, represents the most significant investment in Northern Territory health services in more than 40 years.

Employing over 450 staff, the hospital has much to celebrate in its first year of operation, including:

·         Over 4,700 theatre procedures

·         28,000 people visiting the emergency department

·         The pharmacy dispensing over 26,000 items

·         Over 70,500 hot meals served

·         15,780 medical images captured; 10,459 x-rays, 2,644 CTs, 2,654 ultrasounds.

Today will see the official opening of a lecture/training room to be officially known as the Pete Davies Auditorium.

The Auditorium is in memory of the popular Top End radio broadcaster and well-loved Territorian who advocated for additional health and hospital services in the Palmerston region.

Recent improvements to PRH include the $300,000 Larrakia-inspired Wellness Garden fully designed, constructed and funded by Ichthys which opened last month.

The last year has also seen the $3.1 million hydrotherapy pool open, giving inpatients and rehabilitation outpatients who would have previously had to travel to the Darwin Private Hospital Aquatic Physiotherapy.

The Palmerston Regional Hospital will continue to treat thousands of Top End residents working in combination with Royal Darwin Hospital to provide a high level of care to all patients.

Quotes from the Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:

“Palmerston and Rural residents deserve easy access to a high quality hospital.

“Congratulations to all the staff who run the Palmerston Regional Hospital, without their knowledge, passion and empathy, we wouldn’t have the hospital we have today.

“Palmerston Regional Hospital offers a wide range of services, including maternity, state of the art rehabilitation services and emergency services which run 24 hours a day seven days a week.”

Quotes from the Member for Drysdale, Eva Lawler:

“Palmerston is the family capital of the Northern Territory and we will continue to invest in it.

“Congratulations to all staff for their continued service and making sure Territorians are taken care of in their time of need.”

Quotes from the Member for Brennan, Tony Sievers:

“Palmerston is constantly growing; we see its potential and continue to invest in its growth for our community.

“Thank you to all the staff of the Palmerston Regional Hospital, and congratulations on your first year anniversary.”

Media contact: Andrea Allen 0401 119 467