Statement from Director Medical Services, Royal Darwin Hospital, Dr Alison Maclean:

The peak in demand at Royal Darwin Hospital is now easing and patient flow is improving.

Thanks to the hard work of medical, nursing and support staff at RDH patients who were moved to overflow areas yesterday are now being discharged or moved to appropriate ward beds.

When a peak occurs, a range of measures are enacted to reduce pressure and these are producing the intended result.

There have been no changes to the elective surgery schedule today and RDH theatres are operating as normal.

Patient safety is a priority and RDH will continue to provide the best patient centred care possible in these periods of high demand

While demand is easing, people with non-emergency health needs are still encouraged to visit their GP or an after-hours clinic as soon as they feel unwell. Seeing a GP early will help prevent a person becoming more unwell and ensure the hospital has capacity to care for those who most need hospital care.

For emergencies, please call Triple 0 or go to the Emergency Department.

We acknowledge the distress that patients feel during these peak times and we apologise to those patients affected.

We thank our community for supporting us and appreciate their understanding and patience during these challenging times.