NT government looks for dialysis solutions in Batchelor as YiSSA closes

As the Aboriginal-run YiSSA short-stay facility in Darwin prepares to close on October 11, the Northern Territory government is seeking alternatives for vulnerable residents, including those requiring dialysis. After turning down a $3.5 million joint-purchase proposal from the Commonwealth, the government announced a shift of some YiSSA occupants to Batchelor, a town about 100 km away. NT Health officials reached out to the Aboriginal health service Purple House to inquire about using its mobile “Purple Truck” for dialysis in Batchelor, but Purple House confirmed it cannot provide the service due to staffing shortages and the truck’s current location in Alice Springs.

The agency also warned that moving dialysis patients to Batchelor would create significant logistical and health challenges. Children and Families Minister Robyn Cahill affirmed that dialysis patients will not be moved to Batchelor and that the government will ensure transport and suitable accommodation so patients can continue attending appointments in Darwin.