We continue to review the status of asbestos in the Pathology building at the Alice Springs Hospital.

Specialist hygienists are currently working with working with a specialist asbestos removal company.

At this stage approximately 60 patients and 27 staff were identified as having access to the building on Monday and Tuesday last week. All staff have been notified and meetings are being held to provide updates and offer support. The Central Australia Health Service is currently in the process of making contact with patients to provide information and to offer support.

At this stage we do not know how long the Pathology building will be closed, a site has been selected on the hospital campus that will act as an interim Pathology laboratory. While awaiting advice from the specialist hygienists on the use the existing pathology equipment, plans are being made to purchase equipment for use in the new location. It is anticipated to be open by the end of the month.

Procedures have been put in place to minimise disruption to testing. Western Diagnostic Pathology is conducting urgent testing and pathologies are being sent to Tennant Creek and Royal Darwin Hospitals. The services in Tennant Creek and Royal Darwin Hospital will not be affected with the additional demand.

The majority of Health infrastructure is in aged buildings that contain asbestos products. Over the last 18 months, Asbestos registers have been updated for each facility and continue to have amendments made as asbestos is removed or found.

Asbestos related work at our facilities is managed by either the relevant Hospitals Engineering Department or by the Governments Construction agency, Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics. Each of these groups only utilise NT Worksafe approved and licenced asbestos removalists and hygienists to complete asbestos management tasks and work is completed in accordance with the Code of Practice.

We continue to work with NT WorkSafe to investigate and review our asbestos management processes.

Whilst we are focussing on the current Pathology building, we are in the process of assessing all of the asbestos registers across the Health Department. The process will recommend appropriate improvements on current systems.    

The Department of Health takes the management of asbestos seriously across all of our facilities and will continue to review systems and processes to ensure the safety of patients, staff and visitors.

Media Contact: Gail Liston - 08 8951 5111 or 0476 839 383