After two patients died as a result of a fungal outbreak, a review of hospital maintenance has revealed disturbing infestations embedded in multiple facilities – including on the North Coast.
Outbreaks of cockroaches, possums, birds, and insects at major hospitals have been revealed after two deaths prompted a sweeping maintenance review.
Outbreaks of pests and fungus dating back more than a decade that were never reported have also been unearthed after NSW Health Minister Ryan Park detailed the results of a snap maintenance review on Monday.
The reckoning of the state’s health facilities comes after two patients died of fungal infections triggered by construction work at a major Sydney hospital.
There are 38 non-routine maintenance issues still unresolved from the last year, Mr Park said, including a number of issues in North Coast hospitals.
Local health districts say that monitoring of facilities for signs of mould, water, and pest infestation is continually undertaken as part of routine asset maintenance practice, but flooding over recent years has made the issues of mould more numerous.
“Mould can occur in any complex building, including hospitals. When mould is detected, it should be reported, promptly assessed, and safely treated, based on rigorous procedures, to ensure patient and staff safety,” a spokesperson for Northern NSW LHD said.
“Some facilities have been identified in need of significant repairs or replacement, including ceiling, roof, window, and façade repairs at older facilities at Casino and District Memorial Hospital, Murwillumbah District Hospital, Lismore Base Hospital, and Grafton Base Hospital.”
A hydrotherapy pool in the Mid Coast has also been identified as a source of ongoing mould concern, while the Daily Telegraph reported staff at Wauchope Base Hospital even reported seeing a mouse – or a rat – in the staff toaster.
During NSW Parliament budget estimates today, there was also extensive discussion of personal hygiene wipes being denied to patients, but officials assured that it was a temporary stock shortage while they changed brands, not a change in policy or intentional withdrawal.
NSW Health says they manage any risks to patients and staff by isolating affected areas and undertaking repairs and other works, in consultation with SafeWork NSW and consulting engineers. There is no indication that ongoing mould management has caused any illness to patients or staff.
“I can never pledge that there will never be maintenance issues. Any government that does is not being realistic or truthful,” Mr Park said.
“Sometimes an issue may require different expertise to … consider if any further building maintenance work is required, which can take time.”
As well as current maintenance problems, the snap probe identified a number of major infestations in the past decade that were never reported.
The spotlight on the state of NSW hospitals has intensified after two patients died and several others became ill after being exposed to a fungal outbreak at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
The cause of the infection was Aspergillus, a common mould found in soil, dust, and damp environments that is unlikely to make people unwell unless they have a weakened immune system.
The hospital confirmed six patients in its transplant unit were affected by the fungal cluster in late 2025.
Health authorities indicated that construction works linked to a $940 million redevelopment at the hospital were the cause of the fungal infections.
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