BY MAXWELL HARVEY
A parliamentary inquiry into mould and pest issues at Newcastle's Calvary Mater hospital has called for the termination of the hospital's public-private partnership (PPP).
The report, which documents allegations of corruption, cover-ups, and maintenance failures, recommends ownership be transferred to NSW Health immediately.
Health Services Union Secretary Gerard Haynes has backed the report's findings, calling on the state government to enact its recommendations.
"The next steps are obviously for the government to consider the recommendations from the upper house inquiry," he said.
"We are firmly of the view that public hospitals should be in public hands and controlled by the government.
"[The recommendation] moves away from the conflicting interests between he private sector and the public sector."
Allegations submitted to the inquiry date back to 2007, mostly relating to the continuous presence of mould in the hospital's cancer ward.
It is alleged that the presence of mould caused or contributed to the deaths of several people across almost two decades.
A review conducted by the Mater itself indicated that at least 16 invasive fungal infections occurred between 2019 and 2024, with further cases recorded in the subsequent two years.
About 120 families have registered for a class-action lawsuit into the alleged mould-related deaths.
At the start of the year, media highlighted continuous issues with mould and maggots in the Mater's cancer and ICU wards, prompting the state government to intervene.
NSW Health then announced $12.5 million for emergency remediation work, replacing cladding to prevent water leaks into the hospital.
Health Minister Ryan Park announced this week the external cladding replacement at the hospital had been completed, though broader remediation works are still underway.
Mr Haynes said the failure of the Calvary Mater sends a clear message that public-private partnerships are no longer viable.
"A lot of work has been done to get to this point," he added.
"I think the recommendations are good and so it's now a matter for the government to be able to consider those recommendations and hopefully apply them as soon as possible."
