In many ways, Nationals MLC Sarah Mitchell “came, saw and conquered” following her recent visit to the under-siege Calvary Mater.
After witnessing the distress of nurses and midwives first-hand, following months of neglect at the Waratah facility, the Shadow Minister for Regional Health initiated a Parliamentary Inquiry this week to probe the raft of issues – from mould to maggots – at the site.
She moved a motion in the NSW Legislative Assembly on Wednesday 4 February, backed by the Coalition and Greens, which will also investigate water damage, pest infestations and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the hospital and the NovaCare consortium.
Surprisingly, Labor voted against it, despite local MPs Sonia Hornery (Wallsend) and Tim Crakanthorp (Newcastle) recently throwing their support behind the frustrated staff.
“I know the Minister for Health Ryan Park has been to Newcastle,” Ms Mitchell stated.
“However, I don’t think it’s good enough to sort of say, ‘well, we’re working through it and we’re going to try and fix the immediate problems’.
“This is an opportunity for this Parliament and for this committee to do its job, have a transparent look at what has happened there, make sensible recommendations to the minister and to the government about ways forward which can be done.”
Ms Mitchell was scathing of the situation following her recent meeting with several Calvary Mater employees.
“It’s disappointing to see staff rallying because of shocking conditions, including mould and maggots leading to ward closures,” she said at the time.
“Our health workers must have safe and dignified workplaces.
“And patients, including those from other regions who travel to Newcastle for their health care, also deserve better than this.
“The conditions are simply unacceptable… and the NSW Government needs to step up and fix it.
“From what I understand, staff reported issues through the proper channels with maintenance and cleanliness of this hospital as far back as 2017.
“That’s deplorable.”
Mr Park attended Calvary Mater on Monday 2 February to announce the NSW Government’s intervention to ensure critical cladding remediation would start.
It’s understood the hospital’s external façade needs to be replaced because it is not compliant with current building standards.
That issue was also identified as a contributing factor to some water leaks in parts of the premises, underscoring the importance of progressing rectification works without further delay.
“The safety and wellbeing of patients and staff is our highest priority,” Mr Park said.
“I understand the community’s frustration and their desire for action.
“I want to reassure everyone we are resolving these issues at Calvary Mater as quickly as possible, within weeks, not months.
“The NSW Government has now intervened directly to ensure non-compliant cladding on the hospital’s external façade is replaced without further delay.
“Novacare is responsible for the maintenance of the facility.
“However, it’s been too slow in planning and progressing the necessary remediation works so the hospital can return to providing care without disruption.
“Unfortunately, we are dealing with a complex contractual arrangement.
“But, we’re continuing to examine the contract carefully to determine how we can more strongly compel these private operators to meet their obligations.”
BACKGROUND ABOUT THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
Calvary Mater Newcastle is a public hospital operated by Calvary Health Care, an affiliated health organisation under the Health Services Act, that delivers public patient services under a service agreement with Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD).
Through this arrangement, the HNELHD funds Calvary to provide essential public health services under a purchaser-provider model, consistent with how public hospital services are funded across NSW.
The hospital campus itself is owned by Calvary Healthcare and leased to Health Administration Corporation (HAC), in line with whole-of-government arrangements that separate the ownership and management of health assets from the delivery of healthcare services.
In 2005, HAC entered into a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) with Novacare to build and manage the Mater campus.
Under this agreement, facilities management services are provided to support the operation of the hospital, including non-clinical services such as cleaning and catering, as well as the maintenance and management of the physical buildings and infrastructure.
HNELHD represents HAC in overseeing this arrangement and works with its partners to ensure the campus is maintained in a safe and fit-for-purpose condition to support the delivery of patient care.
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