Water samples showing elevated lead levels taken from RHH K-Block

Contaminated water found at the Royal Hobart Hospital’s K-Block site is the latest setback for the troubled development, with testing now underway to confirm the elevated presence of lead.

HEALTH Minister Sarah Courtney says a range of tests are ongoing at the Royal Hobart Hospital’s K-Block redevelopment, after concerns were raised about elevated lead levels in drinking water.

This week, a union representing workers on the building site said one of two samples recently taken had recorded the presence of lead at three times the recommended levels.

Ms Courtney faced questioning about the issue during a press conference yesterday, amid criticism of continued delays to the project.

“The testing that has been found is on a building that has yet to receive practical completion, it is still a building site,’’ she said.

“Fresh water is available to workers and the Government will continue to work with the managing contractor towards practical completion.

“As a Government, we want to make sure that not only do we deliver this world-class hospital for Tasmanians but that we make sure that worker safety and ultimately patient and staff safety is our highest priority.

“I’m advised that the workers on site have been provided drinking water on site and that signage does indicate that water on a building site should not be consumed.

“We’re going to make sure in these final stages before receiving practical completion of the building that all the appropriate testing is done to make sure that it is appropriate for future use.”

Sarah Courtney says a range of tests are ongoing at the Royal Hobart Hospital’s K-Block redevelopment. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Ms Courtney said a range of testing was being done as part of the commissioning process for K-Block and that the Government “will continue to take advice from the experts”.

Michael Anderson, from the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, criticised the Government for what he said was a lack of ownership of the issue, when it will be fixed, and how workers would be looked after.

Labor’s health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell called on the Government to be upfront about when the new beds at K-Block would actually be open for patients.

“We’ve seen this project be delayed time and time again, we’ve seen crisis after crisis take place throughout the life of this development,’’ she said.

“We’ve seen the timelines pushed out again and again and we’re still not able to get any firm answer from the Government about when this will be completed.

“The Government and Sarah Courtney promised that beds would be open in February and here we are a week into February, and they’re not even ready to take over the building.”

File pics - Hobart CBD, Liverpool, Argyle, Collins, Campbell Streets. Royal Hobart Hospital, K Block, health, crisis construction, ramping. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

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Ms Lovell said Ms Courtney needed to explain what steps were being taken to ensure the building was fit for purpose.

“She needs to stop talking about things like commissioning processes and practical completion dates and other high level construction terms and just tell Tasmanians when will the beds be open and when will patients be accommodated in those beds,’’ she said.

Ms Courtney yesterday joined Federal Bass MP Bridget Archer to unveil a new CT scanner at the W.P. Holman Clinic in Launceston.

The new piece of cancer fighting equipment is set to provide treatment for more than 600 new patients every year.

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The CT scanner has been delivered through a state and federal government grants program, through which $28 million is being invested to upgrade the state’s ageing oncology equipment.

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