A public mental health facility in Hobart has closed its doors after a rat infestation forced all patients to leave and staff into alternative roles.
Peacock House, which provides 12 acute mental health beds in North Hobart, suspended admissions last week and discharged its final patient on Monday.
Concerns were first raised by staff on November 10 after rats were discovered in the roof space above bedrooms and corridors.
Pest controllers later removed several dead rodents, creating such a strong smell that one room had to be shut.
Rat droppings were also found throughout the ceiling cavity.
Power outages in affected parts of the building disrupted patient rooms and ventilation fans were brought in to help clear lingering odours.
Around 40 staff have been redeployed to other southern mental health services or offered leave while investigations continue.
The Department of Health said it notified WorkSafe Tasmania and engaged an occupational hygienist after the issue was identified.
An inspection was scheduled for Tuesday.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety of all consumers and staff,” a department spokesperson said.
“Care continues to be provided to consumers at appropriate alternative mental health services that meet their clinical needs.”
Labor health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said the closure highlighted serious failures in Tasmania’s health system.
“Staff have been reporting these unsafe conditions for months,” she said.
“No health worker should ever be put in that position and no patient should be treated in a facility that is clearly unsafe.”
The facility is expected to remain closed for at least two weeks while investigations continue.
Other Peacock Centre services, including Safe Haven for people in acute distress, remain open as normal.
The centre has faced setbacks before, including fires in 2016 and 2021 that delayed its reopening until March 2023.
