Pathology

Territory Pathology provides testing for the following scientific disciplines:

• anatomical pathology
• chemical pathology
• forensic pathology
• haematology
• blood transfusion
• immunopathology
• microbiology
• molecular microbiology
• serology.

Territory Pathology provides medical pathology services for:

• inpatients and outpatients of the six public hospitals
• other NT Government agencies such as correctional centres, National Critical Care Trauma Response Centre, Coroner's Office and the Centre for Disease Control
• other external organisations such as general practitioners (GPs), Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin Private Hospital and private pathology laboratories.

You need a referral in the form of a pathology request form filled in by a medical practitioner or approved health practitioner. Request forms are valid for six months from the date of request.

Specimen(s) are collected and submitted with the request form to the laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will analyse and return a report to your requesting practitioner for review and action.

Your requesting practitioner is the best person to provide appropriate clinical interpretation and advice based on your clinical history.

Most medical pathology services will be subsidised by the Australian Government through the Medical Benefits Scheme if you are an Australian resident or international visitor entitled to Reciprocal Health Care.

For more information, go to the Australian Government's Department of Health website.

Territory Pathology provides outpatient phlebotomy (blood collection) services to Royal Darwin Hospital, Palmerston Regional Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital.

Royal Darwin Hospital outpatient phlebotomy

Located near the main entrance of the Royal Darwin Hospital behind the patient elevators, near MAPU.

Open Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4pm.

Closed Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Palmerston Regional Hospital outpatient phlebotomy

Located near the main entrance of the Palmerston Regional Hospital at Ambulatory Care.

Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm.

Closed Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Alice Springs Hospital outpatient phlebotomy

Located near the main entrance of the Alice Springs Hospital at the outpatients department.

Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Closed Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Territory Pathology provides inpatient phlebotomy services to Royal Darwin Hospital, Palmerston Regional Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital. At Katherine Hospital, Gove District Hospital and Tennant Creek Hospital, inpatient specimen collection is done by medical and nursing staff.

The table below outlines opening hours for inpatient pathology services in the NT.