Calvary Health Care Lashes Out Over Mater Hospital Maintenance Crisis
The operator of Newcastle's Mater hospital has launched a scathing public attack on NSW Health and the private consortium responsible for the facility's infrastructure, declaring that "systemic failures" in the public-private partnership have created unacceptable risks for patients and staff.
Letter Details Escalating Concerns
In a letter published in the Newcastle Herald, Calvary Health Care national chief executive Damien Bruce expressed increasing frustration with the growing maintenance issues that have plagued the hospital. Mr Bruce stated that "the consequence of continued inaction is now undeniable" and criticised the ongoing delays in addressing infrastructure problems.
"Each day NSW Health delays a comprehensive and transparent response to the infrastructure and maintenance needs at Calvary Mater Newcastle, is another day of putting off patient needs and placing unfair and unsustainable pressure on our staff," Mr Bruce wrote.
Recent Hospital Closures and Health Hazards
The criticism comes after a series of disturbing incidents at the hospital:
- The inpatient haematology ward was forced to close on Monday after maggots fell from the ceiling
- Two weeks earlier, the neighbouring day haematology ward closed due to dangerous mould levels in air-conditioning ducts
- Elective surgeries were cancelled on Tuesday as patients were relocated, including 15 transferred to other private hospitals
A Calvary Health Care spokesperson emphasised that "these are not minor disruptions without direct and distressing impacts on patients and their families, and our hospital staff."
History of Maintenance Issues
Within less than a year, Novacare has faced multiple accusations regarding the hospital's deteriorating conditions:
- Attempting to hide mould infestations from staff and patients
- Ignoring internal leaks so severe that chemotherapy treatments were cancelled
- Failing to address concerns about contaminated potable water from corroded and mouldy water tanks
Despite operating the public hospital under the public-private partnership, Calvary Health Care does not control the Mater's infrastructure and lacks the authority to compel Novacare to carry out necessary remediation work.
Minister Responds to Growing Crisis
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park acknowledged the situation was "not good enough" and apologised for the delays, stating that "staff and patients deserve better." However, he remained non-committal about launching an inquiry into the health crisis.
Mr Park highlighted the hospital's "complex public-private partnership" as a contributing factor to the delays but conceded this was not an excuse. "Ultimately however, patients don't care who looks after what - and they shouldn't have to quite frankly - they just want it sorted, and I do too," he said.
Union and Legal Concerns
The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association expressed concern about the latest developments, with general secretary Michael Whaites emphasising the importance of maintaining high standards of hygiene and effective routine inspections.
The Mater hospital is now at the centre of a class action, with law firms calling for people who lost loved ones in the hospital's cancer wards between January 2024 and April 2025 to come forward. The dangerous Aspergillus mould found in air-conditioning ducts is known to cause pneumonia, and a recent Bureau of Health Information study found the Calvary Mater had "higher than expected mortality" for pneumonia despite a statewide decrease.
Calvary Health Care has repeatedly escalated concerns about mould and maintenance deficiencies with Hunter New England Health and NSW Health, but according to Mr Bruce's letter, they "continue to be stalled" in their efforts to secure urgent intervention and accountability.
