Maggots Discovered, Ward Closed
Patients at Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle, New South Wales, have been transferred following the discovery of maggots in a haematology ward. The pests were found yesterday, leading to the immediate closure of the ward until further notice for contamination addressal, including fumigation.
Patient Relocation and Hospital Response
Hunter New England Health reported that flies were initially noted, with maggots subsequently found on the floor by cleaning contractors. The affected four-bed room was vacated and sealed promptly. Some patients from the ward are being temporarily relocated to other sections of the hospital, while a small number of clinically stable patients will be transferred to another facility for continued care. The health authority stated that patient safety is its priority and that all necessary steps are being taken to resolve the issue thoroughly.
Previous Incident and Ongoing Concerns
This is the second ward closure at the hospital this year. Earlier this month, a cancer ward was shut down due to a mould infestation in its air-conditioning system. A class action case is underway regarding patients exposed to mould in the cancer unit.
Troy Stolz, a former patient, expressed a lack of surprise regarding the maggot discovery, stating the situation is "not acceptable" and suggesting the hospital should revert to government operation, citing the current public-private partnership as having "failed dismally."
Official Statements and Future Plans
The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association has sought urgent information from hospital management regarding the source of the pest discovery and the effectiveness of integrated pest management within the facility.
Health Minister Ryan Park instructed the hospital and its contractor to resolve the issue quickly, stating that while a short-term resolution has been achieved, a long-term fix is required. He has requested a full report on the incident. Regarding the hospital's public-private partnership with Calvary Health Care and Novacare, Minister Park indicated he does not support the model and believes services should return to public hands, acknowledging the contractual difficulties involved.