22 October 2015

Asbestos found during routine testing at Dunedin Hospital

Routine testing for asbestos at Dunedin Hospital has identified a number of areas with positive surface swab results, however air testing has been negative.

“The wellbeing and safety of staff, patients and visitors at Dunedin Hospital is a priority,” says Southern DHB Commissioner Kathy Grant.

“We have been carrying out routine testing to update our asbestos register ahead of changes to Health and Safety legislation which come into force next year.

“A technical advisory team has been advising the DHB throughout this process. Their risk assessment is that the current level of risk from asbestos is negligible to low for patients, and staff. We are taking this matter seriously, and together with our technical advisors we will be briefing our staff today.”

Air tests have been carried out regularly over the past few years in the Clinical Services Building and all have come back negative.

“Safety remains the DHB’s number one priority and staff briefings are currently taking place across the organisation,” says Southern DHB CEO, Carole Heatly.

“We are taking expert advice on continued access to potentially affected parts of the hospital. We are following best practice which might cause minor interruptions to staff and patients. However, no essential services are affected.

Public information is also being made available. Anyone with concerns should contact our information line 0800 214579 which is being manned by Occupational Health and Public Health nurses.”

On 8 October, initial visual inspections by Precise Consulting Laboratories found damaged asbestos in the ceiling cavities above non-public areas in the Clinical Services Building, Lecture Theatre Block and Fraser Building. Controlled access to these areas was put in place immediately.

During the past week, subsequent air testing has been carried out throughout the Clinical Services Building. These tests have all come back below national exposure guidelines.

However, on Wednesday, positive surface area swab results were found on Level 1 (radiology), Level 3 (laboratory), Level 4 (clinic rooms, theatre change rooms and corridor change rooms), and Level 5 (two internal corridors).

These areas are being re-tested by swabbing surfaces and sending these swabs away for testing. Results so far show three areas with positive results on Level 1. These areas have now been closed and patients will be diverted through other areas to access ultrasound.

Further intensive swabbing tests results are expected today. Advice is being sought from removalist experts today on how to contain, remove, and deep clean contaminated areas.

The technical advisory team includes Associate Professor David McBride, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Otago; Andre Halkyard, Principal Occupational Hygienist, Precise Consulting Laboratories; Wendy Williamson, Tonkin and Taylor; Environmental Consultants; and SDHB Building and Property Team.

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