Entire clinical services block has now been tested

Media Release

Update 3 - 23 October 2015

Entire clinical services block has now been tested

The entire Clinical Services Block of Dunedin Hospital has now been tested for asbestos.

All air testing to date has returned below national exposure guidelines.

Further test results from intensive swabs taken yesterday, were received today. No further areas returned positive results – which is very good news.

Areas in the Clinical Services Building which have previously tested positive after intensive swab tests have been isolated and are being environmentally cleaned.

Update on stairwell area

A decision has been made to extend the environmental cleaning taking place on the central stairwell. Originally the focus was on the lower ground to 2nd floor. This has now been extended to include the upper levels – to the 6th floor. This work is now expected to take up to six days.

Environmental cleaning involves using special vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, wiping all surfaces with sticky wipes followed by a wet wipe to ensure there are no traces of asbestos remaining.

There is asbestos in the 6th floor plant room, and this has the potential to spread into the lift shafts of the two lifts in the Clinical Services Building. These lifts therefore remain closed until further notice.

Update on ultrasounds

Two corridors within the radiology department have been environmentally cleaned to allow access to the south stairwell. This has increased access to the ultrasound area. As a result more ultrasound machines are now available to be used and appointments for elective ultrasounds are progressively being rebooked.

Update on molecular pathology laboratory & mortuary

Both of these areas remain closed. Contingency plans are in place to ensure services continue to be provided.

Anyone with concerns should contact our information line 0800 214 579 which is being manned over the weekend 8.00am and 5.00pm. So far the 0800 number has received 15 calls since it was established yesterday.

Thank-you

Southern DHB commissioner Kathy Grant and Southern DHB chief executive, Carole Heatly wants to thank the public and staff for their patience and cooperation for putting up with the inconvenience of having various areas of the Clinical Services Block cordoned off at short notice this week.

“I would also like to acknowledge the many staff and contractors who have been working around the clock to minimise the disruption for patients,” Kathy Grant said.

Background info on asbestos testing regime:

The process for identifying areas contaminated by asbestos is an initial visual inspection, then if warranted, a ‘broad sweep’ swab test. If results return positive, more intensive swabbing is carried out along with air testing. The swabs are sent to a laboratory in Christchurch for testing.

The asbestos has been discovered as part of routine testing being progressively carried out throughout Dunedin Hospital.

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. There is an elevated risk for people who work more closely and regularly in the areas where asbestos has been detected – this includes trades and cleaning staff.

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 regular staff briefings have been held regularly.

ENDS

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