The New South Wales Health Minister has denied allegations of a “cover-up” regarding a deadly fungal outbreak at the Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital, one of Australia’s largest hospitals. The outbreak, which occurred in late 2025, involved the common mould aspergillus and resulted in the deaths of two patients, with four others falling ill in the hospital’s transplant unit.
The controversy erupted after the opposition accused the government of concealing the outbreak, which was publicly disclosed for the first time on Wednesday following a parliamentary order to release documents. Health Minister Ryan Park defended the decision, stating that the priority was to inform patients and their families without causing undue alarm to the general public.
Details of the Outbreak
The outbreak was first noted by RPA staff in December when six patients developed infections within an eight-week period. According to the documents, one patient died on November 5 and another on November 19. The Health Minister’s office was notified on December 24, prompting the assembly of an expert panel led by Dr. Kerry Chant, the state’s Chief Health Officer.
Park explained that the panel advised focusing communication efforts on patients, families, visitors, and staff rather than issuing a public statement, a decision that has since been criticized by some as lacking transparency.
Opposition and Public Reaction
Sarah Mitchell, the NSW Shadow Minister for Health, criticized the government for not disclosing the outbreak sooner, calling the revelations “shocking.” She emphasized the need for transparency, stating that those affected by the outbreak deserved to be informed.
“The Minns Labor government has covered this up for the past three months,” Mitchell said in a statement. “The staff, patients, and families of those who lost their lives deserve transparency.”
Construction and Environmental Factors
The outbreak coincided with construction activities related to RPA’s $940 million redevelopment project, which is believed to have disturbed the mould spores. The transplant unit, located adjacent to the construction site, experienced an unusual spike in aspergillus infections, with an average of only one case per year in the previous seven years.
Dr. Chant acknowledged that construction is a known risk factor for such infections in hospitals but noted that air monitoring had not been routinely conducted due to a gap in existing guidelines. The department plans to issue new advice following an expert panel meeting next week.
Hospital Response and Measures
In response to the outbreak, RPA staff began investigating the cases on December 10, installing additional air filters, administering antifungal medication, and alerting management. The transplant unit was temporarily closed on January 2, with patients relocated to another ward as construction paused. Subsequent air testing revealed elevated aspergillus levels in the transplant ward, leading to a deep clean and resealing of the unit before it reopened on February 9.
Air quality tests showed improved conditions after the unit was cleaned and air filters were updated, according to hospital documents.
Wider Implications and Future Actions
The RPA outbreak is part of a broader issue of mould concerns across NSW hospitals, exacerbated by recent periods of heavy rain. Minister Park acknowledged the challenge of managing mould in over 220 hospitals across the state, emphasizing the importance of swift remediation efforts.
“When you have over 220 hospitals in New South Wales and you’ve had periods of heavy rain, like we’ve seen over the last few years, that is going to happen,” Park stated. “What we try and do is get those mould rectified and removed as quickly as possible.”
Looking forward, NSW Health is expected to refine its guidelines and improve monitoring practices to prevent similar outbreaks. The department’s forthcoming advice will likely focus on mitigating risks associated with construction and enhancing infection control measures in vulnerable hospital units.
