St John NT and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) showcased the new Tennant Creek Patient Transfer Facility to Ministers Maree Clare Boothby MLA and Jo Hersey MLA, and NT Health executives.
The $3.65 million facility has been in planning and construction for the past two years and will soon bring together RFDS and St John NT operations in one purpose-built location. The new development features the Northern Territory’s only taxi-through patient transfer bay, designed to improve safety and efficiency when moving patients between aircraft and road ambulances.
The facility will be home to the region’s new St John NT ambulance station, which includes a vehicle garage connected directly to the patient transfer bay, a spacious crew area, training and study rooms, an office for the Area Manager, and dedicated parking for emergency and station vehicles.
St John NT Ambulance Services Director Andrew Thomas said the new station is a welcome step forward for the Tennant Creek team and local community.
“This is an exciting development for Tennant Creek and a great example of collaboration across health services,” Mr Thomas said.
“The new facility has been designed to make patient transfers safer and more efficient, while also providing our paramedics with a modern, well-equipped workspace that supports their training, wellbeing and operational needs.”
St John NT CEO Andrew Tombs said the investment highlights the organisation’s ongoing commitment to regional Territory communities.
“Our people in Tennant Creek deliver an essential service across a vast region. This new facility provides them with the infrastructure they deserve and strengthens collaboration with NT Health, RFDS, and other health partners, which is critical to supporting high-quality patient care across the Northern Territory,” Mr Tombs said.
“We look forward to the team moving in and operating from this fantastic new space by mid-December.”
St John NT’s Tennant Creek ambulance team is actively preparing for the move and excited to settle into the new station, which will support their critical work across the Barkly region and enhance care for the local community.
