Introduction
Car park changes – construction of new ward
Due to construction of a new 32-bed ward near the cafe, patient and disabled parking bays have been relocated in Car Park 1. Access to buildings remains the same.
For more information about the development, go to the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure website.
The Royal Darwin Hospital is a 360-bed public hospital that has a large range of services in all specialty areas.
This guide has information about making an appointment, services, visiting and parking, as well as hospital contact details.
Going to emergency
Royal Darwin Hospital's emergency department is open 24 hours. You do not need an appointment.
Demand for these services is very high. To ensure they're available for those who need it most, avoid going to the emergency department unless you need urgent medical attention.
If you're not sure what to do, contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice from a registered nurse on how to manage your injury or illness. Healthdirect is a free service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For more information, go to the Healthdirect website.
Being admitted to hospital
Find out about what you should bring and other information if you are being admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital.
Outpatient department
To see a specialist in the outpatient department (OPD), you must have a written referral from an authorised healthcare professional.
Without this referral, you cannot make an appointment.
Find out more below.
Booking your appointment
Once your referral has been reviewed by the specialist, you will be:
- placed on the waiting list
- sent a waitlist letter.
When a non-urgent appointment becomes available, you will be sent an appointment letter.
If your appointment is urgent, you will be contacted on the phone number that’s on record. This is so the OPD can reach you in time for you to attend your appointment.
If you have a mobile phone, you will also receive a text message 3 days before to remind you about your appointment.
You must notify the OPD if:
- your phone number or address changes
- you no longer need your appointment.
Getting help from an interpreter
If you need help to understand information at your appointment, you can request an interpreter.
They can be:
- present at the appointment
- available via video conference or over the phone.
This service is free for you and can be requested when your appointment is booked with OPD.
You can also book an interpreter yourself. Find out how to book an interpreter for Aboriginal languages or non-Aboriginal languages.
Attending your appointment
You should arrive on time for your appointment. If you're late, the doctor may not be able to see you.
You must also bring your:
- current Medicare, concession, Veterans Affairs or defence personnel card – if you don’t have one of these cards, you may be charged extra fees
- recent tests you may have had such as:
- blood results
- x-rays
- scans
- current medications or a written list of them
- appointment letter or text message.
To keep you busy while you wait for the doctor, you may also want to bring a book or magazine.
To find the OPD, follow the signs from the hospital’s main entrance or ask a way finders for assistance.
Find out how to get to Royal Darwin Hospital and where to park PDF (550.4 KB).
Cancelling or rescheduling your appointment
In emergency situations, your appointment may be postponed. If this happens, you will be offered a new appointment.
If you cannot attend your appointment, you must give the OPD at least 24 hours’ notice so they can offer that appointment to another patient. They will also reschedule your appointment to the next one available.
If you missed your appointment
If you don’t attend your appointment, you should contact the OPD within 30 days. If you don’t, you may be discharged from the waiting list.
Your medical history will also be reviewed by a specialist. They will decide if you still need care. If they decide, you:
- still need care, OPD will book you another appointment
- no longer need care, you may be removed from the waiting list.
They will also consider your circumstances if you’re experiencing genuine hardship or are disadvantaged.
Contact
The OPD are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm except all public holidays in the Northern Territory.
To submit your referral, email rdhopdreferrals.doh@nt.gov.au.
If you want to reschedule or cancel your appointment, call 08 8922 8699 or email rdhopd.ths@nt.gov.au.
Services at Royal Darwin Hospital
To contact the services listed below, call the switchboard on 08 8922 8888.
Medicine
- cardiology
- dermatology
- gastroenterology
- infectious diseases
- general medicine
- hyperbaric medicine
- neurology
- ophthalmology
- oncology
- haematology
- rehabilitation
- renal
- respiratory medicine
- rheumatology
- sleep studies
- endocrinology
- pain management
- hospital in the home
- anaesthetics
- palliative medicine.
Surgery
- ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery
- oro-maxillo facial (OMF) surgery
- orthopaedic
- urology
- general surgery
- paediatric general surgery
- plastics surgery
- ophthalmology.
Allied health services
Inpatient allied health services are available on the wards at Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals. Patients transitioning home may also be referred to services.
Allied health professionals work as part of a multidisciplinary team with nursing and medical staff, find an allied health service.
Clinical support services
- CT scan and MRI
- Aboriginal liaison
- interpreter services.
Maternal and child health
- obstetrics
- reproductive medicine
- paediatrics
- gynaecology.
Other
- outreach specialist and allied health services to Palmerston Health Precinct, rural and remote regions and clinical and retrieval support to regional hospitals
- teaching and reference services for northern Australia and Southeast Asia, with rural and remote medical training placements
- pharmaceutical services for the hospital and surrounding community area
- 24 hour emergency and critical care and support for air medical service
- renal satellite services at Nightcliff, Palmerston and Tiwi.
Hospital shuttle bus service
You can catch a shuttle bus between the Royal Darwin and Palmerston hospitals.
To use the service, you must be a patient or approved escort who is travelling for a medical appointment.
The service can't cater for electronic wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Where to catch the shuttle
Passengers are picked up and dropped off outside the main hospital entrances.
Timetable
The shuttle runs every weekday except public holidays. Bookings are required.
The below timetable may change without notice. You should check the timetable on the day you are travelling to confirm departure times.
Services to Palmerston Regional Hospital
| Depart Royal Darwin Hospital | Arrive Palmerston Regional Hospital |
|---|---|
| 6:15am * | 7am |
| 9:15am | 10am |
| 12:15pm | 1pm |
| 3:15pm | 4pm |
| 6:15pm * | 7pm |
Services to Royal Darwin Hospital
| Depart Palmerston Regional Hospital | Arrive Royal Darwin Hospital |
|---|---|
| 7:15am * | 8am |
| 10:15am | 11am |
| 1:15pm | 2pm |
| 4:15pm | 5pm |
| 7:15pm * | 8pm |
* Where there are no bookings in either direction, affected services may be cancelled.
Contact
For more information about this service or to make a booking contact 08 8922 6777 or email tepts.ths@nt.gov.au.
Visiting Royal Darwin Hospital
Before you visit Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH), it's important to be aware of the rules for visiting to protect the health and wellbeing of patients, other visitors and staff.
Watch this short video for a guide to the RDH and Palmerston Regional Hospital emergency departments.
Visiting hours
Visiting hours are from 10am to 7pm.
Wearing a mask
Visitors are encouraged to wear a mask during their visit.
Visitor numbers
A maximum of 2 adults and one child can visit a patient at a time.
Getting there
If you're driving to the RDH, find parking at Royal Darwin Hospital.
You can also catch a public bus, find Darwin and Palmerston public bus timetables and maps.
If you're unwell
If you are unwell, stay at home until you are symptom-free.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, avoid visiting the hospital for at least 7 days after your positive result and until you are symptom-free.
Get the latest health alerts and information on the NT Health website.
Bringing gifts
Before bringing lollies, food, or drinks, check with the nursing staff.
Some items may not be allowed depending on the patient's treatment.
Exemptions to the rules
In special circumstances, you may apply for an exemption.
To apply, contact the hospital switchboard on 08 8922 8888 and ask to speak to:
- the ward nurse unit manager during business hours, or
- the hospital resources coordinator after hours.
Parking at Royal Darwin Hospital
Car park changes – construction of new ward
Due to construction of a new 32-bed ward near the cafe, patient and disabled parking bays have been relocated in Car Park 1. Access to buildings remains the same.
For more information about the development, go to the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure website.
Parking at the hospital is free. You must park within marked bays and parking areas and follow the directions on signs.
You can't park:
- in the undercover drop-off zone near the Emergency Department and main entrance:
- this is for pick-up and set-down only, you must stay with your vehicle
- on verges and grassed areas within campus boundaries unless there are signs saying you can do so
- in reserved bays or areas reserved for ambulances, police or on-call medical staff.
Parking map
Contact Royal Darwin Hospital
Royal Darwin Hospital
Rocklands Drive, Tiwi
PO Box 41326
Casuarina NT 0811
Phone: (08) 8922 8888
Fax: (08) 8922 8286
registryrdh.ths@nt.gov.au
Patient advocates
There are patient advocates at the Royal Darwin Hospital that can support you while you're in hospital.
Phone: (08) 8922 8824
patientadvocaterdh.doh@nt.gov.au
Complaints and feedback
You can make a complaint, suggestion or ask a question about hospital services on the Department of Health website.
How to get there
To get to the Royal Darwin Hospital using public transport view the public bus timetables and maps for Darwin.
Volunteers at Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals
Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital is supported by volunteers who work alongside hospital staff to provide support to patients and their families.
Volunteers ae local community members.
What they do
Volunteers provide services such as:
- welcoming visitors and providing directions, assistance and information at hospital reception
- assisting patients, their families, friends and carers to find their way around the hospital
- assisting with activities that will help patients, their families and friends pass the time or make their stay in hospital more comfortable
- providing company and social interaction for patients who are away from family and friends.
Why become a volunteer
Volunteering at the hospital can be rewarding. As a volunteer you can:
- build friendships and networks
- increase your confidence and achieve self-satisfaction
- enjoy working in a friendly team
- develop your skills and knowledge
- be involved in decisions about programs and services
- feel appreciated by making a difference.
Before you apply
Volunteer opportunities are available at Royal Darwin Hospital and Palmerston Regional Hospital.
To become a volunteer you will need a current police check and working with children clearance.
You must be able to commit at least 4 hours per fortnight.
Read more in the volunteer handbook.
How to apply
Apply online.
Once you submit your application, it will be reviewed by the Volunteer and Diversity Coordinator.
More information
For more information email rdphvolunteers.doh@nt.gov.au or call 08 8922 6164.
