'Shocking': Hospital inquiry urges axing of public-private partnership
A parliamentary committee has handed down its findings after an investigation into a Newcastle hospital where staff reported maggots falling from the ceiling.
A NSW parliamentary inquiry has called for the end of a Newcastle hospital's public-private partnership after uncovering shocking maintenance failures. The Calvary Mater Hospital, a leading cancer treatment facility in regional NSW, has faced a series of serious issues over the past year. These include a mould infestation, maggots on hospital floors, and a doctor fainting due to high humidity in operating theatres.
Greens MP Dr Amanda Cohn, who chaired the inquiry, described the revelations as "shocking" and said staff and whistleblowers reported numerous failures that could have been prevented. The report recommends the NSW government terminate the current public-private partnership and bring hospital management directly under NSW Health.
It also suggests re-evaluating the Orange and Bathurst Hospital partnerships. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has not yet decided to return the hospital to public hands, but the government is reviewing the contract and addressing the challenges. The hospital's maintenance provider, Honeywell, is reviewing the report and committed to supporting the hospital and its staff.
The Health Services Union has urged the recommendations to be implemented urgently, calling for an end to the public-private partnership model in the health system.
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