Emergency Help Please - Motels/Hotels Near Darwin Hospital.

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robd

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Jnr#1 received a very distressing call from her BFF at about 5.30pm this afternoon. Long story short, BFF's dad is a FIFO oil rig worker, returning to work offshore near Darwin I think (I don't know exact details). He has just had a massive heart attack, is in ICU and on a ventilator. Jnr phoned me at 6:05pm to see what flights were possible for her friend, mum & sister to get to Darwin tonight. I checked MEL departures and found Jetstar at 8.30pm. Their first contact with Jetstar, they were told no seats available. After I told them they need to seek emergency assistance, they called again and got three seats to Darwin.

They will shortly be boarding the flight to Darwin, hopefully it will depart on time.

Can someone please advise a motel or hotel convenient to the hospital? This family has literally left Melbourne with only the shirts on their back and I would like to be able to direct them to somewhere to sleep for however long they need to be in Darwin. Cheap and clean is all that is required.

Mods, please move if required.
 
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Jnr#1 received a very distressing call from her BFF at about 5.30pm this afternoon. Long story short, BFF's dad is a FIFO oil rig worker, returning to work offshore near Darwin I think (I don't know exact details). He has just had a massive heart attack, is in ICU and on a ventilator. Jnr phoned me at 6:05pm to see what flights were possible for her friend, mum & sister to get to Darwin tonight. I checked MEL departures and found Jetstar at 8.30pm. Their first contact with Jetstar, they were told no seats available. After I told them they need to seek emergency assistance, they called again and got three seats to Darwin.

They will shortly be boarding the flight to Darwin, hopefully it will depart on time.

Can someone please advise a motel or hotel convenient to the hospital? This family has literally left Melbourne with only the shirts on their back and I would like to be able to direct them to somewhere to sleep for however long they need to be in Darwin. Cheap and clean is all that is required.

Mods, please move if required.

It's a few years time since I travelled and worked at Royal Darwin so this info may be out of date.
There is little if any accomodation near the hospital. The closest decent stuff would be at the Airport - Rydges , Best Western. I highly recommend they hire a car if possible.
I would assume that this is not an uncommon problem for relatives visiting. The hospital will have an on-call Social Worker for Critical Care who can facilitate your friend's family to find accomodation. Most big hospitals have short-term lodge type rooms which are for exactly this type of event.
Best Wishes to your friends

PF
 
It's a few years time since I travelled and worked at Royal Darwin so this info may be out of date.
There is little if any accomodation near the hospital. The closest decent stuff would be at the Airport - Rydges , Best Western. I highly recommend they hire a car if possible.
I would assume that this is not an uncommon problem for relatives visiting. The hospital will have an on-call Social Worker for Critical Care who can facilitate your friend's family to find accomodation. Most big hospitals have short-term lodge type rooms which are for exactly this type of event.
Best Wishes to your friends

PF

i agree with this - best for the family to contact the hospital's social worker. if arriving out of hours then speak with the hospital ADON - assistant director of nursing who can contact the social worker.
 
I agree that Rydges and best western are the closest to RDH. Car hire is the best option if they are there for a few days. Otherwise a cab fare from the airport will be between $13-$20.
 
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It's a few years time since I travelled and worked at Royal Darwin so this info may be out of date.
There is little if any accomodation near the hospital. The closest decent stuff would be at the Airport - Rydges , Best Western. I highly recommend they hire a car if possible.
I would assume that this is not an uncommon problem for relatives visiting. The hospital will have an on-call Social Worker for Critical Care who can facilitate your friend's family to find accomodation. Most big hospitals have short-term lodge type rooms which are for exactly this type of event.
Best Wishes to your friends

PF

Thank you PF. I am googling madly and coming up short on accommodation near the hospital (although the Best Western airport is only a 10 min drive, it may well be a lifetime away given what I understand the situation to be).

They may well spend the next couple of days at his bedside, so I will just wait and see and assist when I can.
 
Promixity wise the Club Tropical Resort looks a good option otherwise don't discount staying in the CBD.

You can get a 4 bed (2 bunks) room with ensuite at the Melaleuca on Mitchell Backpacker Resort in the middle of town which Wotif is showing as AUD105.00 per night for up to 4 pax. It's situated opposite the Mitchell Centre which has a Coles Supermarket open daily 0600-2200. It is possible to park for free in the CBD.

They may need to be somewhere central if they need to buy a few basic necessities. Darwinbus have services to Royal Darwin Hospital from Darwin CBD via the Casuarina Interchange which is adjacent to the Casuarina Square Shopping Centre - the largest in the NT. It would be quicker to drive and would only take about 20 minutes from the city to Tiwi. There are several car rental places in the city within easy walking distance from hotels.

When I first moved to the NT I found it extremely easy to navigate around Darwin so I'm sure they'd be fine once they've had a sleep which will be hard with everything going on.

I don't recommend hiring a car on arrival as they'll understandably be in a very distressed state and will probably just get a cab direct to the hospital from the airport. I can't imagine they'd have to wait long for a cab as they won't be waiting for checked bags to come off.


 
Here's the update -

They got to Darwin Hospital and stayed there for the weekend. The hospital arranged accommodation for them after that, but not sure exactly where.

They have since flown to Adelaide hospital and again, the hospital has made accommodation arrangements for them. From all reports, the staff at both hospitals have been fantastic.

As far as the patient is concerned, apparently he required resuscitation twice and is still in an induced coma. The move to Adelaide was for surgery, (a stent or open heart), but the doctors now want to wake him up before undergoing the surgery.
 
Here's the update -

They got to Darwin Hospital and stayed there for the weekend. The hospital arranged accommodation for them after that, but not sure exactly where.

They have since flown to Adelaide hospital and again, the hospital has made accommodation arrangements for them. From all reports, the staff at both hospitals have been fantastic.

As far as the patient is concerned, apparently he required resuscitation twice and is still in an induced coma. The move to Adelaide was for surgery, (a stent or open heart), but the doctors now want to wake him up before undergoing the surgery.

Thanks for the update robd :)
Hope everything goes well from here
 
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