A major hospital in the Hunter region has been compelled to indefinitely shut down a ward dedicated to treating cancer patients after the discovery of a potentially lethal mould infestation within its ventilation system.
Ward Closure Announced on Christmas Eve
The Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle informed its staff via email on Christmas Eve 2025 that the haematology day ward, known as Ward 5D, would close from Monday, January 5, 2026. The decision followed consultations with infectious disease specialists after quarterly air test results showed elevated levels of dangerous mould.
The email, seen by the Newcastle Herald, stated that interim control measures like extra air filtration units had failed to adequately manage the risk. "The decision has been made to close the unit until further rectification of the root cause and thorough cleaning is completed," it read.
A Known Danger Lurking for Months
This crisis has been brewing for over a year. The private company operating the hospital, Novacare, was first alerted in October 2024 that air conditioning ducts in the cancer ward required replacement due to contamination with Aspergillus mould.
However, this critical information was not communicated to staff or patients for six months, only coming to light when it was leaked in April 2025.
Aspergillus is a severe threat to immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients. Australian government material notes it is "associated with high mortality rates of between 30 to 95 per cent" and is a known cause of mould-related pneumonia.
A recent Bureau of Health Information report found the Calvary Mater had "higher than expected mortality" for pneumonia, even as rates fell statewide.
Patient Relocation and Mounting Pressure
With Ward 5D closed, outpatient haematology services are being relocated to the hospital's physiotherapy department, which will itself move to the New Med building. A Hunter New England Health spokesperson assured that no patients had been in the ward since the test results arrived and that continuity of care was being maintained.
The situation has sparked significant political and legal fallout. Two law firms are preparing a class action, calling for families who lost loved ones in the hospital's cancer wards between January 2024 and April 2025 to come forward.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said efforts were underway to address the mould but has previously rejected calls for an inquiry, stating his focus was on a management plan. This stance has drawn fierce criticism.
"How much more evidence does he need?" said Calvary Mater cancer patient and Upper Hunter councillor Troy Stolz. "How many people have they put in jeopardy while they've been mucking around?"
Greens MP Amanda Cohn accused both NSW Health and Novacare of downplaying the seriousness of the issue for months. "It should have and could have been rectified before it impacted patients," Dr Cohn stated.
The controversy also highlights concerns about accountability in public-private partnerships. NSW Health declined to answer questions from the Herald regarding any financial penalties applied to Novacare over the mould issue.
Maintenance company Honeywell, part of the Novacare consortium, is tasked with completing the necessary rectification works in the new year.
