Hobart in-patient mental health facility Peacock House closes due to rat infestation
In another blow to the state’s healthcare system, a rat infestation has forced the temporary closure of one of Hobart’s only public mental health facilities, with staff reporting months of working in unsanitary conditions.
A rat infestation at one of Hobart’s only public in-patient mental health facilities has forced it to temporarily close amid fears over staffing retention and resourcing within the state’s healthcare system.
The Peacock House in North Hobart has suspended admissions and discharged its final patient while investigations are conducted into what is required to clean the facility of a rat infestation.
According to the Health and Community Services Union, staff have been given the option to either take leave or be temporarily deployed to other southern Tasmanian mental health services for the duration of the investigation, which could be two weeks.
The Peacock Centre, which includes the 12-bed short-stay inpatient facility, is believed to employ around 40 people.
The issue was first flagged with the union on November 10 by a member, who in an email – seen by the Mercury – said rats were discovered in the Peacock House roof space above part of the corridor and bedrooms “over the last couple of weeks”.
The staff member said the baiting and removal of two dead rats by pest control created a “persistent odour” which forced the closure of one room, and had triggered nausea and allergies for some staff members.
“Inspection of the roof cavity above the adjoining corridor has shown evidence of rat droppings on insulation over the entire corridor,” the email read.
“Other areas on the unit have been cleared of evidence of rodents.
“We are awaiting further action by management to address the situation.”
In a November 20 union correspondence, a member said there were still rats being found and a significant amount of faecal droppings across the ceiling.
“There are also times when power needs to (be) turned off in sections of the Peacock House ceiling which is affecting patient bedrooms and also the fans that have been installed to address remaining odours,” the letter stated.
The letter noted the final patient was due to be discharged on Monday, November 24, and that “environmental health” had been notified and confirmed that due to the action taken there was “nothing required from their perspective”.
It is believed Peacock House admissions will be suspended until at least Thursday this week when the policy is reviewed in a staff meeting.
On the condition of anonymity, a Peacock Centre employee told the Mercury that staff had been working with the infestation for “months” and had been “extremely sick” before its closure.
“We have been forced to stay open and admit people despite the risk,” they said.
“We have been told not to use the heating as it pushes the smell around.
“This has led to night staff being frozen overnight as we need to keep the windows open due to the smell.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said the issue was identified earlier in the month and that actions were immediately taken.
“The Department has engaged with WorkSafe Tasmania, an occupational hygienist and facilities management in relation to remedial works required to rectify this issue,” the spokesperson said.
“Peacock House inpatient beds are temporarily closed while further investigations and remedial works are undertaken.”
They did not confirm what arrangements had been made for patients in the unit, or when the centre would re-open, only that an inspection with an occupational hygienist was scheduled for November 26.
“Care continues to be provided to consumers at appropriate alternative mental health services that meet their clinical needs,” the spokesperson said.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of all consumers and staff, and Peacock House will re-open as soon as it is appropriate to do so.”
The Peacock Centre has a complicated past.
The facility was gutted by fire in 2016, with redevelopment set back by another fire in 2021.
It officially opened again in March 2023 and in its first six months of operation saw 1500 people.
As well as Peacock House, the centre also provides a walk-in Integration Hub, a Safe Haven for people in acute distress and the Recovery College, which continue to operate as normal.
Its closure comes as health workers take industrial action over what they say are unsustainable working conditions, chronic staffing shortages and retention issues across the state’s hospitals and healthcare facilities.
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Originally published as Hobart in-patient mental health facility Peacock House closes due to rat infestation
