00:00A shock to private hospital patients and staff, but not so surprising for the Territory's
00:06Health Minister.
00:08Just a couple of weeks ago we had the final date that those services would close.
00:13The Government had been living in hope for months that Darwin Private Hospital would
00:17not shutter its maternity ward.
00:19Probably around about late September, early October, I was certainly made aware that HealthScope
00:24were having some difficulties here in Darwin.
00:27114 expecting families will be transitioned to the public system when those services cease
00:32on April 17, with doctors promising high quality care.
00:37And I just want families to be reassured that they will get very good care here at Royal
00:42Darwin Hospital.
00:43After giving birth, families with private health cover can choose from a luxury postnatal
00:48retreat at a hotel or a home package, each with 24 hour support from a private practising
00:55midwife.
00:56Details about how patient care will transition from the private system to the public and
01:02then back again are currently being discussed between Government and insurers.
01:07So far those negotiations have proved very positive and those costs will be borne by
01:11the private health care providers.
01:14Midwives and nurses at the private hospital, who will lose their jobs in April, will be
01:18welcomed into the public system with open arms.
01:21We'll work with them to fast track employment and provide them with, we've already provided
01:27their options to them and we'll have them come over and meet with us if they want to
01:31and do a tour, show them our services and meet us and we'll try and make that transition
01:36as smooth as possible.
01:37The public system ready to step in to cover the failures of private health care.
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