Report Released on Fungal Outbreak at RPA Hospital

Report Released on Fungal Outbreak at RPA Hospital

27 Mar 2026

SLHD expressed its condolences to the families of patients who died and apologised to everyone affected. Once the outbreak was identified, a team of senior clinicians in transplant medicine and infectious diseases quickly began an investigation.

The report was also reviewed by an expert panel led by NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant. Patients and their families have received copies of the report and were offered meetings with hospital staff to discuss the findings.

The investigation did not find one single cause of the outbreak. However, it found that the highest risk likely came from the ward’s balcony and nearby construction work, rather than earlier water damage.

The report made several recommendations, including improving infection control plans, better monitoring of air quality, clearer reporting systems, and stronger processes for managing construction risks in hospitals. It also called for better maintenance planning in high-risk areas like transplant wards.

SLHD has committed to putting all recommendations in place to improve patient safety. NSW Health is also reviewing the findings so lessons can be applied across the public health system.

New groups have already been set up to improve monitoring and response, including a fungal surveillance committee and a clinical reference group to oversee hospital works and safety measures.

The full report is available online.

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/

Source: Sydney Local Health District (SLHD)

 
 

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