Staff at Calvary Mater Newcastle are expressing cautious optimism for the first time in almost a decade, believing that concrete action will finally be taken to resolve the hospital's persistent mould and maintenance crisis. This follows years of mounting frustration over systemic failures that have compromised patient care and staff working conditions.
Political Pressure Mounts in Parliament
In a recent session of the NSW Parliament, both the Opposition and the Greens intensified their calls for the Minns government to deliver on its promises regarding the Mater hospital. Greens MP Amanda Cohn highlighted that critical safety and maintenance issues were formally reported by staff as early as 2017, yet it has taken years for the situation to receive the attention it warrants.
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Mitchell emphasised the recurring nature of the problems, noting that incidents occur weekly. She recounted staff comparisons of the environment to an episode of Stranger Things, underscoring the severity of the conditions in a modern healthcare facility.
A Turning Point with the Health Minister
After a meeting with NSW Health Minister Ryan Park at the hospital, staff reported feeling heard for the first time, with assurances that action would be taken. One staff member noted that the minister's evident frustration mirrored their own experiences in dealing with the public-private partnership (PPP) responsible for the hospital's operations.
Minister Park acknowledged the urgency, stating unequivocally that the mould problem must be resolved and committing to expedite the process as much as possible. He expressed deep anger and regret that staff are forced to manage issues with private contractors who are failing to fulfil their obligations.
Recent Closures and Health Concerns
The Newcastle Herald recently reported that significant portions of the hospital, including most of the intensive care unit and rooms in three wards, were closed over a weekend for deep cleaning due to slightly elevated levels of the mould Aspergillus fumigatus. Earlier in January, two wards were shut down after mould was discovered in air-conditioning ducts, and maggots fell from ceilings onto patients, necessitating the relocation of cancer patients from the haematology day ward.
Structural and Systemic Issues
The Mater hospital operates under a public-private partnership, with Novacare—a consortium comprising Honeywell, Westpac Bank, Medirest, and Abigroup—responsible for building maintenance and cleaning. Staff have identified that while upcoming cladding repairs may help, the mould is primarily driven by faults in the air-conditioning system and excessive humidity.
Minister Park revealed that despite previous assurances from contractors about addressing cladding issues, which are crucial for mitigating water and mould problems, work stalled over the summer break. Consequently, he and NSW Health secretary Susan Pearce decided to intervene directly in the PPP contract to initiate rectification works.
Local Advocacy and Ongoing Actions
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery confirmed that repairs to the mould-infested air-conditioning system have commenced, offering a glimmer of hope for long-term resolution. However, the broader challenge remains ensuring accountability among private contractors and preventing future lapses in maintenance that jeopardise patient safety and staff well-being.
As the government explores legal avenues to hold contractors accountable, the focus is on delivering sustainable solutions to restore the hospital's operational integrity and uphold public trust in New South Wales' healthcare infrastructure.
