Health Minister puts 'troubling' Calvary Mater maintenance mess at arm's length
Aspergillus mould, which is dangerous to the elderly and people with lowered immune systems, has been detected in multiple areas in the hospital, including air conditioners and a ward with immunocompromised patients.
Moisture has become such an issue at the Waratah hospital that dehumidifiers have been brought into wards, and leaking windows are being patched up with plastic and drained into garbage bins.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she was troubled by the reports of mould and leaks.
"To me, it is simply not OK," she said.
"I have raised this with the Minister for Health, asking that the maintenance issues be addressed. I will be seeking further answers with regard to this matter."
The Newcastle Herald asked NSW Health Minister Ryan Park if he'd spoken directly to Mater administrators about the mould, leaks and maintenance backlog.
Mr Park initially declined to answer any questions and instead directed Hunter New England Health staff to respond.
However, when pressed by the Herald a spokesperson for Mr Park made it clear Novacare, the company managing the hospital's infrastructure and facilities, was responsible for the building's upkeep.
"Maintenance of the hospital building and infrastructure is the responsibility of Novacare, under a public-private partnership with NSW Health," the spokesperson said.
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, which ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
In March, the government passed Joe's Law to ban future public-private partnerships for the state's acute hospitals, after the death of a toddler at Northern Beaches Hospital.
Mr Park was also asked if it was time to reconsider the Mater's public-private partnership and bring the hospital under a fully public system.
"The Minister has made clear that he does not support public-private partnerships being imposed on any future acute hospitals in circumstances where a private provider both constructs the facility and provides acute hospital service to public patients at the facility," the spokesperson said.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), which is responsible for patient care and clinical services within the Mater, said it was "actively working to minimise any risk" to patients following the detection of Aspergillus in a number of inpatient wards.
"As a precaution, deep cleaning has been carried out, and additional air filtration units have been installed in the affected areas while further actions are being assessed," a HNEH spokesperson said.
Earlier this week, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association raised the alarm about the state of the hospital.
"These public-private partnerships don't work, you can't put people's lives at risk to make some money," the union's Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said.
A local politician is "troubled" by reports the Calvary Mater Hospital is riddled with leaks and battling a mould outbreak, but the Health Minister has already moved to distance the government from the maintenance mess.
Aspergillus mould, which is dangerous to the elderly and people with lowered immune systems, has been detected in multiple areas in the hospital, including air conditioners and a ward with immunocompromised patients.
Moisture has become such an issue at the Waratah hospital that dehumidifiers have been brought into wards, and leaking windows are being patched up with plastic and drained into garbage bins.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she was troubled by the reports of mould and leaks.
"To me, it is simply not OK," she said.
"I have raised this with the Minister for Health, asking that the maintenance issues be addressed. I will be seeking further answers with regard to this matter."
The Newcastle Herald asked NSW Health Minister Ryan Park if he'd spoken directly to Mater administrators about the mould, leaks and maintenance backlog.
Mr Park initially declined to answer any questions and instead directed Hunter New England Health staff to respond.
However, when pressed by the Herald a spokesperson for Mr Park made it clear Novacare, the company managing the hospital's infrastructure and facilities, was responsible for the building's upkeep.
"Maintenance of the hospital building and infrastructure is the responsibility of Novacare, under a public-private partnership with NSW Health," the spokesperson said.
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, which ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
In March, the government passed Joe's Law to ban future public-private partnerships for the state's acute hospitals, after the death of a toddler at Northern Beaches Hospital.
Mr Park was also asked if it was time to reconsider the Mater's public-private partnership and bring the hospital under a fully public system.
"The Minister has made clear that he does not support public-private partnerships being imposed on any future acute hospitals in circumstances where a private provider both constructs the facility and provides acute hospital service to public patients at the facility," the spokesperson said.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), which is responsible for patient care and clinical services within the Mater, said it was "actively working to minimise any risk" to patients following the detection of Aspergillus in a number of inpatient wards.
"As a precaution, deep cleaning has been carried out, and additional air filtration units have been installed in the affected areas while further actions are being assessed," a HNEH spokesperson said.
Earlier this week, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association raised the alarm about the state of the hospital.
"These public-private partnerships don't work, you can't put people's lives at risk to make some money," the union's Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said.
A local politician is "troubled" by reports the Calvary Mater Hospital is riddled with leaks and battling a mould outbreak, but the Health Minister has already moved to distance the government from the maintenance mess.
Aspergillus mould, which is dangerous to the elderly and people with lowered immune systems, has been detected in multiple areas in the hospital, including air conditioners and a ward with immunocompromised patients.
Moisture has become such an issue at the Waratah hospital that dehumidifiers have been brought into wards, and leaking windows are being patched up with plastic and drained into garbage bins.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she was troubled by the reports of mould and leaks.
"To me, it is simply not OK," she said.
"I have raised this with the Minister for Health, asking that the maintenance issues be addressed. I will be seeking further answers with regard to this matter."
The Newcastle Herald asked NSW Health Minister Ryan Park if he'd spoken directly to Mater administrators about the mould, leaks and maintenance backlog.
Mr Park initially declined to answer any questions and instead directed Hunter New England Health staff to respond.
However, when pressed by the Herald a spokesperson for Mr Park made it clear Novacare, the company managing the hospital's infrastructure and facilities, was responsible for the building's upkeep.
"Maintenance of the hospital building and infrastructure is the responsibility of Novacare, under a public-private partnership with NSW Health," the spokesperson said.
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, which ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
In March, the government passed Joe's Law to ban future public-private partnerships for the state's acute hospitals, after the death of a toddler at Northern Beaches Hospital.
Mr Park was also asked if it was time to reconsider the Mater's public-private partnership and bring the hospital under a fully public system.
"The Minister has made clear that he does not support public-private partnerships being imposed on any future acute hospitals in circumstances where a private provider both constructs the facility and provides acute hospital service to public patients at the facility," the spokesperson said.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), which is responsible for patient care and clinical services within the Mater, said it was "actively working to minimise any risk" to patients following the detection of Aspergillus in a number of inpatient wards.
"As a precaution, deep cleaning has been carried out, and additional air filtration units have been installed in the affected areas while further actions are being assessed," a HNEH spokesperson said.
Earlier this week, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association raised the alarm about the state of the hospital.
"These public-private partnerships don't work, you can't put people's lives at risk to make some money," the union's Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said.
A local politician is "troubled" by reports the Calvary Mater Hospital is riddled with leaks and battling a mould outbreak, but the Health Minister has already moved to distance the government from the maintenance mess.
Aspergillus mould, which is dangerous to the elderly and people with lowered immune systems, has been detected in multiple areas in the hospital, including air conditioners and a ward with immunocompromised patients.
Moisture has become such an issue at the Waratah hospital that dehumidifiers have been brought into wards, and leaking windows are being patched up with plastic and drained into garbage bins.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said she was troubled by the reports of mould and leaks.
"To me, it is simply not OK," she said.
"I have raised this with the Minister for Health, asking that the maintenance issues be addressed. I will be seeking further answers with regard to this matter."
The Newcastle Herald asked NSW Health Minister Ryan Park if he'd spoken directly to Mater administrators about the mould, leaks and maintenance backlog.
Mr Park initially declined to answer any questions and instead directed Hunter New England Health staff to respond.
However, when pressed by the Herald a spokesperson for Mr Park made it clear Novacare, the company managing the hospital's infrastructure and facilities, was responsible for the building's upkeep.
"Maintenance of the hospital building and infrastructure is the responsibility of Novacare, under a public-private partnership with NSW Health," the spokesperson said.
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, which ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
In March, the government passed Joe's Law to ban future public-private partnerships for the state's acute hospitals, after the death of a toddler at Northern Beaches Hospital.
Mr Park was also asked if it was time to reconsider the Mater's public-private partnership and bring the hospital under a fully public system.
"The Minister has made clear that he does not support public-private partnerships being imposed on any future acute hospitals in circumstances where a private provider both constructs the facility and provides acute hospital service to public patients at the facility," the spokesperson said.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), which is responsible for patient care and clinical services within the Mater, said it was "actively working to minimise any risk" to patients following the detection of Aspergillus in a number of inpatient wards.
"As a precaution, deep cleaning has been carried out, and additional air filtration units have been installed in the affected areas while further actions are being assessed," a HNEH spokesperson said.
Earlier this week, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association raised the alarm about the state of the hospital.
"These public-private partnerships don't work, you can't put people's lives at risk to make some money," the union's Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said.
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The Advertiser
29-07-2025
- The Advertiser
John Hunter only admitting patients with 'threat of limb or life loss'
Surgeons at John Hunter Hospital have been told to admit patients only with "threat of limb or life loss" amid an extreme bed shortage. Hospital management sent surgeons a message on Monday afternoon that said "John Hunter Hospital is going into the evening with minus 37 beds". The message, titled "extreme bed compromise", said "we are on life and limb". "This means any acceptance of patients into John Hunter Hospital must be via surgeons (not registrars) and must be for patients who have threat of limb loss or life loss," it said. "Please continue to ... identify all patients who can be discharged home or to HITH [Hospital in the Home]." This followed patients waiting up to four hours when arriving by ambulance to John Hunter at the weekend. The waits coincided with high presentations and admissions to hospitals across the state for influenza-like illness. "It's been pretty bad in the last 28 to 48 hours," said Brendan McIlveen, a Newcastle-based paramedic. Mr McIlveen, the Australian Paramedics Association NSW secretary, said "this is probably the worst it's been in a long while". More than 10 ambulances were seen lined up at the John Hunter on Sunday. One hospital staffer told the Newcastle Herald there were "40 patients in overflow". "The cardiac catheterisation laboratory and endoscopy recovery have been used for overflow patients. "Patients are waiting excessively because we don't have anywhere to see them. We have no movement of patients. "Staff feel overwhelmed and fearful that something will go wrong. They get scared that someone will die." The staffer said the hospital executive "refused to call a code yellow" on Sunday. "This would mean they recognise we have an internal emergency." In this scenario, moves could be made to ease pressure on the hospital. A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said on Monday: "John Hunter Hospital is currently experiencing a higher-than-usual volume of patients, including a significant number of seriously unwell patients". "In response to demand and to alleviate pressure in the ED, we are activating surge areas to temporarily increase our capacity as required. "During periods of high activity, we monitor inter-hospital transfer requests and prioritise the most unwell patients." Mr McIlveen said the patients brought to the hospital by ambulance on Sunday were "genuine cases". "It's not as though they could see a GP or be referred to an urgent care centre," he said. "It's flu season, so there were a number of unwell people on Sunday." He added that "trauma happens during weekend sports". "John Hunter does take all the trauma. It flows well, considering the number of ambulances and patients presenting in the waiting room as well," Mr McIlveen said. "It does show how well the nurses and doctors do to see as many patients as they do. They were doing everything they possibly could." But as the workload increases, so do delays at the hospital. "This does put a burden on the response available for the community," Mr McIlveen said. "The warmer weather will probably start again soon so that will hopefully settle all the respiratory cases down a bit." The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report showed "influenza activity is still at a high level", but cases among children had fallen during the school holidays. "COVID is at a moderate level of activity and decreasing. RSV [respiratory syncytial virus] activity is decreasing and at a moderate level," the report said. ED presentations and admissions for bronchiolitis in young children were high, particularly in those aged less than one, but they were decreasing. While another month of winter lies ahead, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast warmer than average days and nights in south-eastern Australia from August to October. The bureau said there was an "increased chance of unusually high overnight temperatures". Surgeons at John Hunter Hospital have been told to admit patients only with "threat of limb or life loss" amid an extreme bed shortage. Hospital management sent surgeons a message on Monday afternoon that said "John Hunter Hospital is going into the evening with minus 37 beds". The message, titled "extreme bed compromise", said "we are on life and limb". "This means any acceptance of patients into John Hunter Hospital must be via surgeons (not registrars) and must be for patients who have threat of limb loss or life loss," it said. "Please continue to ... identify all patients who can be discharged home or to HITH [Hospital in the Home]." This followed patients waiting up to four hours when arriving by ambulance to John Hunter at the weekend. The waits coincided with high presentations and admissions to hospitals across the state for influenza-like illness. "It's been pretty bad in the last 28 to 48 hours," said Brendan McIlveen, a Newcastle-based paramedic. Mr McIlveen, the Australian Paramedics Association NSW secretary, said "this is probably the worst it's been in a long while". More than 10 ambulances were seen lined up at the John Hunter on Sunday. One hospital staffer told the Newcastle Herald there were "40 patients in overflow". "The cardiac catheterisation laboratory and endoscopy recovery have been used for overflow patients. "Patients are waiting excessively because we don't have anywhere to see them. We have no movement of patients. "Staff feel overwhelmed and fearful that something will go wrong. They get scared that someone will die." The staffer said the hospital executive "refused to call a code yellow" on Sunday. "This would mean they recognise we have an internal emergency." In this scenario, moves could be made to ease pressure on the hospital. A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said on Monday: "John Hunter Hospital is currently experiencing a higher-than-usual volume of patients, including a significant number of seriously unwell patients". "In response to demand and to alleviate pressure in the ED, we are activating surge areas to temporarily increase our capacity as required. "During periods of high activity, we monitor inter-hospital transfer requests and prioritise the most unwell patients." Mr McIlveen said the patients brought to the hospital by ambulance on Sunday were "genuine cases". "It's not as though they could see a GP or be referred to an urgent care centre," he said. "It's flu season, so there were a number of unwell people on Sunday." He added that "trauma happens during weekend sports". "John Hunter does take all the trauma. It flows well, considering the number of ambulances and patients presenting in the waiting room as well," Mr McIlveen said. "It does show how well the nurses and doctors do to see as many patients as they do. They were doing everything they possibly could." But as the workload increases, so do delays at the hospital. "This does put a burden on the response available for the community," Mr McIlveen said. "The warmer weather will probably start again soon so that will hopefully settle all the respiratory cases down a bit." The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report showed "influenza activity is still at a high level", but cases among children had fallen during the school holidays. "COVID is at a moderate level of activity and decreasing. RSV [respiratory syncytial virus] activity is decreasing and at a moderate level," the report said. ED presentations and admissions for bronchiolitis in young children were high, particularly in those aged less than one, but they were decreasing. While another month of winter lies ahead, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast warmer than average days and nights in south-eastern Australia from August to October. The bureau said there was an "increased chance of unusually high overnight temperatures". Surgeons at John Hunter Hospital have been told to admit patients only with "threat of limb or life loss" amid an extreme bed shortage. Hospital management sent surgeons a message on Monday afternoon that said "John Hunter Hospital is going into the evening with minus 37 beds". The message, titled "extreme bed compromise", said "we are on life and limb". "This means any acceptance of patients into John Hunter Hospital must be via surgeons (not registrars) and must be for patients who have threat of limb loss or life loss," it said. "Please continue to ... identify all patients who can be discharged home or to HITH [Hospital in the Home]." This followed patients waiting up to four hours when arriving by ambulance to John Hunter at the weekend. The waits coincided with high presentations and admissions to hospitals across the state for influenza-like illness. "It's been pretty bad in the last 28 to 48 hours," said Brendan McIlveen, a Newcastle-based paramedic. Mr McIlveen, the Australian Paramedics Association NSW secretary, said "this is probably the worst it's been in a long while". More than 10 ambulances were seen lined up at the John Hunter on Sunday. One hospital staffer told the Newcastle Herald there were "40 patients in overflow". "The cardiac catheterisation laboratory and endoscopy recovery have been used for overflow patients. "Patients are waiting excessively because we don't have anywhere to see them. We have no movement of patients. "Staff feel overwhelmed and fearful that something will go wrong. They get scared that someone will die." The staffer said the hospital executive "refused to call a code yellow" on Sunday. "This would mean they recognise we have an internal emergency." In this scenario, moves could be made to ease pressure on the hospital. A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said on Monday: "John Hunter Hospital is currently experiencing a higher-than-usual volume of patients, including a significant number of seriously unwell patients". "In response to demand and to alleviate pressure in the ED, we are activating surge areas to temporarily increase our capacity as required. "During periods of high activity, we monitor inter-hospital transfer requests and prioritise the most unwell patients." Mr McIlveen said the patients brought to the hospital by ambulance on Sunday were "genuine cases". "It's not as though they could see a GP or be referred to an urgent care centre," he said. "It's flu season, so there were a number of unwell people on Sunday." He added that "trauma happens during weekend sports". "John Hunter does take all the trauma. It flows well, considering the number of ambulances and patients presenting in the waiting room as well," Mr McIlveen said. "It does show how well the nurses and doctors do to see as many patients as they do. They were doing everything they possibly could." But as the workload increases, so do delays at the hospital. "This does put a burden on the response available for the community," Mr McIlveen said. "The warmer weather will probably start again soon so that will hopefully settle all the respiratory cases down a bit." The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report showed "influenza activity is still at a high level", but cases among children had fallen during the school holidays. "COVID is at a moderate level of activity and decreasing. RSV [respiratory syncytial virus] activity is decreasing and at a moderate level," the report said. ED presentations and admissions for bronchiolitis in young children were high, particularly in those aged less than one, but they were decreasing. While another month of winter lies ahead, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast warmer than average days and nights in south-eastern Australia from August to October. The bureau said there was an "increased chance of unusually high overnight temperatures". Surgeons at John Hunter Hospital have been told to admit patients only with "threat of limb or life loss" amid an extreme bed shortage. Hospital management sent surgeons a message on Monday afternoon that said "John Hunter Hospital is going into the evening with minus 37 beds". The message, titled "extreme bed compromise", said "we are on life and limb". "This means any acceptance of patients into John Hunter Hospital must be via surgeons (not registrars) and must be for patients who have threat of limb loss or life loss," it said. "Please continue to ... identify all patients who can be discharged home or to HITH [Hospital in the Home]." This followed patients waiting up to four hours when arriving by ambulance to John Hunter at the weekend. The waits coincided with high presentations and admissions to hospitals across the state for influenza-like illness. "It's been pretty bad in the last 28 to 48 hours," said Brendan McIlveen, a Newcastle-based paramedic. Mr McIlveen, the Australian Paramedics Association NSW secretary, said "this is probably the worst it's been in a long while". More than 10 ambulances were seen lined up at the John Hunter on Sunday. One hospital staffer told the Newcastle Herald there were "40 patients in overflow". "The cardiac catheterisation laboratory and endoscopy recovery have been used for overflow patients. "Patients are waiting excessively because we don't have anywhere to see them. We have no movement of patients. "Staff feel overwhelmed and fearful that something will go wrong. They get scared that someone will die." The staffer said the hospital executive "refused to call a code yellow" on Sunday. "This would mean they recognise we have an internal emergency." In this scenario, moves could be made to ease pressure on the hospital. A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said on Monday: "John Hunter Hospital is currently experiencing a higher-than-usual volume of patients, including a significant number of seriously unwell patients". "In response to demand and to alleviate pressure in the ED, we are activating surge areas to temporarily increase our capacity as required. "During periods of high activity, we monitor inter-hospital transfer requests and prioritise the most unwell patients." Mr McIlveen said the patients brought to the hospital by ambulance on Sunday were "genuine cases". "It's not as though they could see a GP or be referred to an urgent care centre," he said. "It's flu season, so there were a number of unwell people on Sunday." He added that "trauma happens during weekend sports". "John Hunter does take all the trauma. It flows well, considering the number of ambulances and patients presenting in the waiting room as well," Mr McIlveen said. "It does show how well the nurses and doctors do to see as many patients as they do. They were doing everything they possibly could." But as the workload increases, so do delays at the hospital. "This does put a burden on the response available for the community," Mr McIlveen said. "The warmer weather will probably start again soon so that will hopefully settle all the respiratory cases down a bit." The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report showed "influenza activity is still at a high level", but cases among children had fallen during the school holidays. "COVID is at a moderate level of activity and decreasing. RSV [respiratory syncytial virus] activity is decreasing and at a moderate level," the report said. ED presentations and admissions for bronchiolitis in young children were high, particularly in those aged less than one, but they were decreasing. While another month of winter lies ahead, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast warmer than average days and nights in south-eastern Australia from August to October. The bureau said there was an "increased chance of unusually high overnight temperatures".
The Advertiser
23-07-2025
- The Advertiser
'Essentially shut': health authorities deny child mental health service in crisis
More than 300 Aboriginal children and young people are missing out on mental health care in the Hunter, insiders say, but Hunter New England Health denies the specialist clinic's "effective closure". The youngsters, aged three to 18, experience conditions like psychosis, personality disorders and extreme anxiety, along with self harm and suicidal thoughts. They had been treated at an Aboriginal-specific service at James Fletcher Hospital. The service, named Wiyiliin Ta, was now "essentially shut", a senior health professional said. Insiders said most of its 10 staff had left after a dispute with Hunter New England Health management over the running of the service. "On paper, Wiyiliin Ta appears to exist. But it's not providing direct clinical care. "This is the effective closure of a CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service] site." Dr Anand Swamy, Hunter New England Health's executive director, denied this. "The Wiyiliin Ta mental health service continues to deliver specialised, culturally safe mental health care for Aboriginal children and adolescents," Dr Swamy said. Hunter New England Health advertised a job last month for a "senior Aboriginal mental health clinician" at Wiyiliin Ta. The advertisement said the role would be part of "a specialised Aboriginal mental health service". "We are actively recruiting to vacancies within the Wiyiliin Ta mental health service," Dr Swamy said. "We are moving to a shared leadership model between Aboriginal Mental Health and the Child and Adolescence Mental Health Service." Wiyiliin Ta began operating in 1997. "It was the only Aboriginal-specific service in NSW for many years," an insider said. It had been based at Tara Lodge at James Fletcher Hospital for about a decade, but is no longer there. The site had an Aboriginal flag and art, bush tucker garden, smoking ceremonies and an outdoor space. "There was always a guarantee that an Aboriginal person would be involved in the treatment," an insider said. "It was integrated into the Aboriginal community as a safe entry point. Now there is no safe entry point." Dr Swamy said Wiyiliin Ta had been co-located with the Aboriginal Mental Health Service, "based primarily at Calvary Mater Newcastle". This was done to "further enhance cultural safety and support". "This move has fostered a more connected and supportive environment for our dedicated team members," Dr Swamy said. The insiders said most of the 300 children that had been treated at Wiyiliin Ta would not use "mainstream mental health services". "There's still a lot of fear for Aboriginal people linked to the history of racism and removal of children," one insider said. "We're seeing a return to an antiquated model when it comes to Aboriginal access to specialist care. "Yet there's been ongoing findings from coroners and government inquiries that Aboriginal people need specific services to meet their cultural needs." Suicide rates among Indigenous people aged up to 24 are more than three times as high as non-Indigenous Australians. Key causes of psychological distress for Aboriginal people are racism and intergenerational trauma. Wiyiliin Ta provided a "connection to culture" that helped protect young people facing complex mental health difficulties. It also helped those involved in the criminal justice system. The insiders said the health service had not informed the Aboriginal community or consulted them about the situation at Wiyiliin Ta. Dr Swamy said: "We continue to work with our Aboriginal partner agencies and the community". More than 300 Aboriginal children and young people are missing out on mental health care in the Hunter, insiders say, but Hunter New England Health denies the specialist clinic's "effective closure". The youngsters, aged three to 18, experience conditions like psychosis, personality disorders and extreme anxiety, along with self harm and suicidal thoughts. They had been treated at an Aboriginal-specific service at James Fletcher Hospital. The service, named Wiyiliin Ta, was now "essentially shut", a senior health professional said. Insiders said most of its 10 staff had left after a dispute with Hunter New England Health management over the running of the service. "On paper, Wiyiliin Ta appears to exist. But it's not providing direct clinical care. "This is the effective closure of a CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service] site." Dr Anand Swamy, Hunter New England Health's executive director, denied this. "The Wiyiliin Ta mental health service continues to deliver specialised, culturally safe mental health care for Aboriginal children and adolescents," Dr Swamy said. Hunter New England Health advertised a job last month for a "senior Aboriginal mental health clinician" at Wiyiliin Ta. The advertisement said the role would be part of "a specialised Aboriginal mental health service". "We are actively recruiting to vacancies within the Wiyiliin Ta mental health service," Dr Swamy said. "We are moving to a shared leadership model between Aboriginal Mental Health and the Child and Adolescence Mental Health Service." Wiyiliin Ta began operating in 1997. "It was the only Aboriginal-specific service in NSW for many years," an insider said. It had been based at Tara Lodge at James Fletcher Hospital for about a decade, but is no longer there. The site had an Aboriginal flag and art, bush tucker garden, smoking ceremonies and an outdoor space. "There was always a guarantee that an Aboriginal person would be involved in the treatment," an insider said. "It was integrated into the Aboriginal community as a safe entry point. Now there is no safe entry point." Dr Swamy said Wiyiliin Ta had been co-located with the Aboriginal Mental Health Service, "based primarily at Calvary Mater Newcastle". This was done to "further enhance cultural safety and support". "This move has fostered a more connected and supportive environment for our dedicated team members," Dr Swamy said. The insiders said most of the 300 children that had been treated at Wiyiliin Ta would not use "mainstream mental health services". "There's still a lot of fear for Aboriginal people linked to the history of racism and removal of children," one insider said. "We're seeing a return to an antiquated model when it comes to Aboriginal access to specialist care. "Yet there's been ongoing findings from coroners and government inquiries that Aboriginal people need specific services to meet their cultural needs." Suicide rates among Indigenous people aged up to 24 are more than three times as high as non-Indigenous Australians. Key causes of psychological distress for Aboriginal people are racism and intergenerational trauma. Wiyiliin Ta provided a "connection to culture" that helped protect young people facing complex mental health difficulties. It also helped those involved in the criminal justice system. The insiders said the health service had not informed the Aboriginal community or consulted them about the situation at Wiyiliin Ta. Dr Swamy said: "We continue to work with our Aboriginal partner agencies and the community". More than 300 Aboriginal children and young people are missing out on mental health care in the Hunter, insiders say, but Hunter New England Health denies the specialist clinic's "effective closure". The youngsters, aged three to 18, experience conditions like psychosis, personality disorders and extreme anxiety, along with self harm and suicidal thoughts. They had been treated at an Aboriginal-specific service at James Fletcher Hospital. The service, named Wiyiliin Ta, was now "essentially shut", a senior health professional said. Insiders said most of its 10 staff had left after a dispute with Hunter New England Health management over the running of the service. "On paper, Wiyiliin Ta appears to exist. But it's not providing direct clinical care. "This is the effective closure of a CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service] site." Dr Anand Swamy, Hunter New England Health's executive director, denied this. "The Wiyiliin Ta mental health service continues to deliver specialised, culturally safe mental health care for Aboriginal children and adolescents," Dr Swamy said. Hunter New England Health advertised a job last month for a "senior Aboriginal mental health clinician" at Wiyiliin Ta. The advertisement said the role would be part of "a specialised Aboriginal mental health service". "We are actively recruiting to vacancies within the Wiyiliin Ta mental health service," Dr Swamy said. "We are moving to a shared leadership model between Aboriginal Mental Health and the Child and Adolescence Mental Health Service." Wiyiliin Ta began operating in 1997. "It was the only Aboriginal-specific service in NSW for many years," an insider said. It had been based at Tara Lodge at James Fletcher Hospital for about a decade, but is no longer there. The site had an Aboriginal flag and art, bush tucker garden, smoking ceremonies and an outdoor space. "There was always a guarantee that an Aboriginal person would be involved in the treatment," an insider said. "It was integrated into the Aboriginal community as a safe entry point. Now there is no safe entry point." Dr Swamy said Wiyiliin Ta had been co-located with the Aboriginal Mental Health Service, "based primarily at Calvary Mater Newcastle". This was done to "further enhance cultural safety and support". "This move has fostered a more connected and supportive environment for our dedicated team members," Dr Swamy said. The insiders said most of the 300 children that had been treated at Wiyiliin Ta would not use "mainstream mental health services". "There's still a lot of fear for Aboriginal people linked to the history of racism and removal of children," one insider said. "We're seeing a return to an antiquated model when it comes to Aboriginal access to specialist care. "Yet there's been ongoing findings from coroners and government inquiries that Aboriginal people need specific services to meet their cultural needs." Suicide rates among Indigenous people aged up to 24 are more than three times as high as non-Indigenous Australians. Key causes of psychological distress for Aboriginal people are racism and intergenerational trauma. Wiyiliin Ta provided a "connection to culture" that helped protect young people facing complex mental health difficulties. It also helped those involved in the criminal justice system. The insiders said the health service had not informed the Aboriginal community or consulted them about the situation at Wiyiliin Ta. Dr Swamy said: "We continue to work with our Aboriginal partner agencies and the community". More than 300 Aboriginal children and young people are missing out on mental health care in the Hunter, insiders say, but Hunter New England Health denies the specialist clinic's "effective closure". The youngsters, aged three to 18, experience conditions like psychosis, personality disorders and extreme anxiety, along with self harm and suicidal thoughts. They had been treated at an Aboriginal-specific service at James Fletcher Hospital. The service, named Wiyiliin Ta, was now "essentially shut", a senior health professional said. Insiders said most of its 10 staff had left after a dispute with Hunter New England Health management over the running of the service. "On paper, Wiyiliin Ta appears to exist. But it's not providing direct clinical care. "This is the effective closure of a CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service] site." Dr Anand Swamy, Hunter New England Health's executive director, denied this. "The Wiyiliin Ta mental health service continues to deliver specialised, culturally safe mental health care for Aboriginal children and adolescents," Dr Swamy said. Hunter New England Health advertised a job last month for a "senior Aboriginal mental health clinician" at Wiyiliin Ta. The advertisement said the role would be part of "a specialised Aboriginal mental health service". "We are actively recruiting to vacancies within the Wiyiliin Ta mental health service," Dr Swamy said. "We are moving to a shared leadership model between Aboriginal Mental Health and the Child and Adolescence Mental Health Service." Wiyiliin Ta began operating in 1997. "It was the only Aboriginal-specific service in NSW for many years," an insider said. It had been based at Tara Lodge at James Fletcher Hospital for about a decade, but is no longer there. The site had an Aboriginal flag and art, bush tucker garden, smoking ceremonies and an outdoor space. "There was always a guarantee that an Aboriginal person would be involved in the treatment," an insider said. "It was integrated into the Aboriginal community as a safe entry point. Now there is no safe entry point." Dr Swamy said Wiyiliin Ta had been co-located with the Aboriginal Mental Health Service, "based primarily at Calvary Mater Newcastle". This was done to "further enhance cultural safety and support". "This move has fostered a more connected and supportive environment for our dedicated team members," Dr Swamy said. The insiders said most of the 300 children that had been treated at Wiyiliin Ta would not use "mainstream mental health services". "There's still a lot of fear for Aboriginal people linked to the history of racism and removal of children," one insider said. "We're seeing a return to an antiquated model when it comes to Aboriginal access to specialist care. "Yet there's been ongoing findings from coroners and government inquiries that Aboriginal people need specific services to meet their cultural needs." Suicide rates among Indigenous people aged up to 24 are more than three times as high as non-Indigenous Australians. Key causes of psychological distress for Aboriginal people are racism and intergenerational trauma. Wiyiliin Ta provided a "connection to culture" that helped protect young people facing complex mental health difficulties. It also helped those involved in the criminal justice system. The insiders said the health service had not informed the Aboriginal community or consulted them about the situation at Wiyiliin Ta. Dr Swamy said: "We continue to work with our Aboriginal partner agencies and the community".
Sydney Morning Herald
20-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Toxic fungi behind the ‘Pharaoh's curse' can kill cancer cells
British nobleman Lord Carnarvon was one of the first people to step into the rediscovered tomb of King Tutankhamun and behold its treasures: gold chariots, scarab pendants, a statue of Anubis and the pharaoh's famed death mask with eyes of obsidian and quartz. Carnarvon's untimely death, five months later in April 1923, helped spawn the myth of the pharaoh's curse – that anyone who disturbs a mummy's tomb is doomed to misfortune. Some scientists suspect the real killer, however, was infection by a toxic fungus that lay dormant in the tomb like a booby trap: Aspergillus flavus. Now the fungus is again at the centre of intrigue after researchers in the US crafted the deadly spores into a compound that can kill cancer cells. In the search for new drugs, scientists have been studying a group of natural molecules called RiPPs (ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptides). Many of these tiny proteins have proved toxic to infectious microbes and cancer cells, which is why researchers are on the hunt for new types of RiPPs to test their medical potential. 'We often think of fungi as causing disease or food spoilage, but this is an example of them holding the key to treating diseases.' Dr Justin Beardsley, University of Sydney Thousands of these molecules have been found in bacteria but only a few from fungi, which is why researchers from the University of Pennsylvania went looking in Aspergillus. They found new types of RiPPs with a structure of interlocking rings and tested them against human leukemia cells. Some of the molecules blocked the growth of the cancerous cells. Scientists then added a fat molecule present in the royal jelly that bees feed their larvae. The fat molecule or 'lipid' helped the cancer-busting RiPPs to infiltrate leukemia cells, and together the experimental combination performed as effectively as two existing leukemia drugs.
