Long-running maintenance issues at Newcastle’s Calvary Mater Hospital came to a head early last year when contractors began working on HVAC air-conditioning filters late at night without the usual work notifications, creating a sense of secrecy.
“We were kind of assured that it wasn’t a big issue,” said NSWNMA branch president Damian Moore. “We were told it was done in response to mould, but we weren’t told the extent of it. Or, where the mould was.”
Later, portable air filters appeared in hallways and every room.
Staff had more cause for concern when maggots started dropping through the ceiling of the haematology department nurses’ station.
“Patients and staff were left in the unit for days until maggots appeared in a clinical area and it was closed.”
The branch sought advice from NSWNMA officials who sent a work health and safety officer to help the branch.
The Association also took action under Section 81 of the Work Health and Safety Act, which requires parties to “make reasonable efforts to achieve a timely, final, and effective resolution”.
Damian said Section 81 meetings were held that brought together NSWNMA branch representatives and the work health and safety officer with NSW Health, Calvary Mater national office, SafeWork NSW, and Novacare consortium members responsible for maintenance and building works.
“However, Novacare were at times unable to answer questions our members wanted answers to.
“One issue we kept bringing up was the lack of maintenance of the portable air filters. We could see the filters were getting clogged with dust.
“We were reassured they were being serviced, but members told us they had never seen anyone working on them.
“Sometimes the filters malfunctioned and stopped working, and nurses were told that they needed to report that. So, the responsibility was put on the nurses to monitor the machines.”
After a number of ineffective Section 81 meetings, branch members decided to contact the media and MPs to apply external pressure and raise community awareness.
But before going public, the branch passed a resolution demanding to see confidential air quality test results.
When management failed to produce the test results, the branch proceeded with media outreach and a public rally, which “massively increased” community awareness of the problems, Damian said.
Following the January rally, the government promised to engage an independent contractor – separate from the public-private partnership – to manage building works.
Cladding replacement was due to start in late March.
Damian said the complicated responsibility structure was a big obstacle.
“It was unclear who was ultimately accountable for maintenance – Calvary Mater, Novacare or subcontractors like Honeywell.
“Everyone was saying that they weren’t responsible, and the contractors argued they only had to maintain the building to the subpar standard that existed when they took over.”
Damian said collective action through the Association branch and persistent advocacy finally forced the government to act.
“The branch provided a safe channel for staff to push for better conditions without risking their jobs.
“This issue taught me how much we can actually achieve when we act as a collective. And also, how persistent you need to be.
“I knew things would be slow, but I’ve been surprised by how long it’s taken us to get to this point.”
In an interview with The Newcastle Weekly, Damian said staff morale had been affected, with many nurses feeling undervalued and stressed
by the conditions.
“You do not sign up to be a nurse worrying about whether the building you work in is being properly maintained,” he said.
“We come here to care for people… and that requires a safe environment.”
Damian said the situation was particularly concerning given the hospital’s role as the region’s main cancer and haematology service.
“These patients are often immunocompromised and extremely vulnerable.
“If you are coming into a hospital, you should not be worrying about whether the building itself is putting you at risk.”