Latest news with #CalvaryMater
The Advertiser
12-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'It's like I'm dying': Since getting COVID seven months ago, Jody can't sleep
Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions." Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions." Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions." Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions."
The Advertiser
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'First time it's available': cancer treatment breakthrough at the Mater
A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be." A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be." A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be." A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be."
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Hospital cancels chemo treatment due to leaks SafeWork inspection failed to flag
The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed. The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins. During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety. One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off. Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets. But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system. The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work. "SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said. Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday. NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle". "This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said. "You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day." Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change". "I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said. It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation. "The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated. In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents. Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance. "We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said. The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed. The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins. During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety. One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off. Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets. But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system. The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work. "SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said. Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday. NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle". "This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said. "You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day." Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change". "I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said. It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation. "The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated. In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents. Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance. "We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said. The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed. The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins. During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety. One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off. Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets. But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system. The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work. "SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said. Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday. NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle". "This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said. "You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day." Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change". "I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said. It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation. "The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated. In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents. Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance. "We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said. The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed. The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins. During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety. One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off. Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets. But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system. The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work. "SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said. Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday. NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle". "This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said. "You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day." Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change". "I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said. It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation. "The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated. In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents. Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department. The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest. Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government. Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance. "We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said.
