Nsw hospital fungal outbreak: minister denies cover-up

Nsw hospital fungal outbreak: minister denies cover-up

Sydney, Australia – The New South Wales (NSW) Health minister, Ryan Park, has refuted accusations of a cover-up surrounding a deadly fungal outbreak at Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) hospital in Sydney. The outbreak, caused by aspergillus, a common mold, resulted in two patient deaths and affected four others in late 2025. The controversy erupted after the government initially did not publicize the incident, leading to accusations of withholding information.

Government defends information strategy

Minister Park stated that the decision to not immediately publicize the outbreak was a deliberate attempt to avoid unnecessary panic among the public. He emphasized that NSW Health prioritized informing patients and their families. "We wanted to strike a balance between not unnecessarily scaring people,” Park told reporters. “There is in no way a sense of cover-up … we were telling hundreds of people.”

Opposition slams government's handling

The opposition has strongly criticized the Minns Labor government, alleging a deliberate attempt to conceal the severity of the situation. Sarah Mitchell, the NSW shadow minister for Health, demanded transparency, stating that the government had “covered this up for the past three months.” Mitchell asserted that the affected staff, patients, and families deserved full disclosure.

Timeline of the outbreak

• October 2025: Patients in RPA's transplant unit begin experiencing aspergillus infections.
• November 5 & 19, 2025: Two patients die, with aspergillus infection deemed the likely cause.
• December 2025: Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) investigates and raises concerns. Construction work is suspected to have stirred up mold.
• December 24, 2025: NSW Health convenes an expert panel chaired by Dr. Kerry Chant.
• February 9, 2026: The transplant unit reopens after deep cleaning and repairs.

Construction work suspected as a factor

Dr. Chantindicated that ongoing redevelopment work at RPA, which began in 2023, is believed to have contributed to the outbreak. The construction may have disturbed aspergillus spores, leading to the infections. RPA temporarily closed its transplant unit in December to allow for repairs and deep cleaning.

Expert panel guidance

The expert panel, headed by Dr. Kerry Chant, advised the government to directly inform patients, families, visitors, and staff rather than the general public. This decision was based on the panel’s assessment of the situation and a desire to manage public anxiety. Dr. Chant acknowledged that while construction is a known risk factor in hospitals, air monitoring had not been routinely used.

Broader mold concerns in nsw hospitals

Minister Park acknowledged that mold is a recurring issue in NSW Health buildings. He clarified that the presence of mold on surfaces does not necessarily pose a health risk to patients. The department is expected to issue new guidance on managing fungal infections among transplant patients following a meeting next week.