New video shows extent of The Alfred hospital’s rodent problem

Leaked vision shows the shocking extent of The Alfred’s rodent plague, as the chief executive blames these issues for the infestation.

The Alfred’s chief executive has blamed a shocking rodent plague on the ageing hospital’s facilities and nearby construction works.

Alfred Health chief Andrew May told staff this week patients and staff should expect better.

It came after the Herald Sun revealed the Alfred was overrun with mice and rats, with faeces found on beds and rodents seen running in patients room.

Now leaked vision has emerged showing a rodent running around an area of the hospital.

“Without a doubt our patients and community expect our hospitals to be free of any signs of pests, and so should we.” Mr May told staff.

Leaked vision shows rodents running around an area of the hospital.

“I know our facilities make pest control a challenge at times, and current nearby construction work also increases the movement of unwanted visitors.

“We recognise these factors and, in response, we have substantially increased our professional pest control maintenance program in recent months.

“Our kitchens regularly undergo rigorous audits by accredited independent food safety auditors and the local council.”

At a staff meeting Mr May told staff it was vital to ensure clean and quiet environments, particularly keeping wards tidy and managing clutter.

“We all have a role in being vigilant and raising concerns about our surrounds, including pests,” he said.

The state government has come under fire over the pest control issue, amid calls it has neglect the state’s major trauma hospital.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the issue was a damning indictment on the government’s priorities.

The Alfred’s chief executive blamed ageing infrastructure and nearby construction for the infestation. Picture: Ian Currie

“The Andrews Government has torched billions of dollars on major projects including the debacle that is the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“All money that could have been spent delivering a world class health system.

“Instead Victorians have to put up with third world conditions in our hospitals because of Labor’s waste and mismanagement.

“Every dollar that’s wasted means it’s not a dollar that goes to fixing pest control at the Alfred Hospital.”

Mr Andrews, who received treatment at The Alfred hospital after a back injury in 2021, said he was confident staff would get on top of the issue.

“The Department, local council, everybody works to make sure our hospitals run as best they can, and if there’s an issue there, people will step in and do what has to be done to fix it,” he said.

Internal logs revealed the neglected and run down hospital has been plagued by a major pest problem since at least 2020.

And they show external contractors have been unable to quell the infestation.

Funding for the hospital became a key issue at last year’s state election with senior staff accusing the government of neglecting their concerns while the coalition pledged to inject $2.4bn to revamp the facility.