Katherine District Hospital

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Katherine District Hospital is a district public hospital servicing the Katherine Region in the Northern Territory, Australia. It is located 3km from the centre of town on the banks of the Katherine River, overlooking Knott's Crossing. It services an area of 336674km2. Around 85% percent of its patients are Aboriginal people, many from some of the most remote communities in Australia. It is operated by the Northern Territory Government Department of Health.The hospital has twice been evacuated due to water inundation during the floods in 1998 and 2006, leading to pressure from the Katherine Town Council on the Territory Government to relocate the hospital to higher ground, at an estimated cost of $50 million.ServicesThe hospital provides a 24-hour emergency department as well as general medical and surgical wards, an operating theatre, a maternity ward, 18 bed children's ward, pathology laboratory, a radiography department equipped to perform basic x-ray and ultrasound scans, and a renal unit. Pharmacy and specialized outpatient services are also accessible.The renal dialysis unit open in May 2000, providing an option for ongoing treatment for kidney disease. The facility accommodates the local Jawoyn people by providing local care which was previously only available in Darwin, forcing patients to relocate.