Health Minister Steve Edgington says private patients can stay at Mercure Darwin Airport Resort for up to four nights after giving birth at Royal Darwin Hospital as part of a package, announced ahead of the closure of maternity services at Darwin Private Hospital.

He told Katie Woolf domiciliary midwives will provide care and support to families at the hotel in addition to 24/7 phone support.

Asked about reports Healthscope is in soft administration, Mr Edgington said he has had no indication that Darwin Private Hospital is at risk of closing, adding that he has sought Federal funding to improve the maternity ward at RDH.

The Minister also rejected claims by the Australian Medical Association’s Dr Robert Parker that code yellows aren’t being called at RDH when they should be, under a department directive.

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