PALMERSTON’S new hospital will start treating patients in four weeks, the NT News can reveal.

The long-awaited $170-million, 116-bed Palmerston Regional Hospital and the NT’s first new public hospital in nearly 40 years will open its doors in August 27.

From 10am on the Monday Territorians will be able use the facility’s 24-hour emergency room.

PRH’s radiology, pathology and hospital pharmacy will also open on day one.

Earlier this month, Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the new facility would deliver high quality health services to Palmerston and rural residents, and create 300 new jobs.

“The people of Palmerston and the Rural area deserve easy access to a high quality hospital and Territorians are invited to explore their new facility on August 11 before it opens later that month,” she said.

“The community day means Territorians can tour their hospital and familiarise themselves with the location, the services and some members of staff.”

Services at PRH are being staged over the first 18 months, to ensure patient needs and safety are met and for staff to become familiar with the new facilities.

The general medical ward will be open on day two.

Starting one week later, the inpatient geriatric evaluation and management unit with 16 beds will be established – an increase of 12 beds on Royal Darwin Hospital.

Two weeks after ED commences the ambulatory care, outpatient service, will be available. Elective surgery, predominantly non-urgent planned day surgery, will start within four weeks of the hospital opening.

PRH will provide maternity outpatient services two weeks after PRH opens, including breastfeeding advice and pregnancy and baby check-ups.

Birthing services will still remain at RDH for the foreseeable future.

The public got a sneak peak of the facility during an open day earlier this year.