Melbourne Children’s Hospital Investigates Possible Staff Exposure to Chemotherapy Chemicals
MELBOURNE: The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne is investigating whether staff may have been exposed to chemotherapy chemicals after sterile gloves supplied to some workers were found not to have been tested or approved for handling chemotherapy drugs. The gloves were provided to some hospital staff, including workers who could not use latex gloves because of allergies.
WorkSafe Victoria notified the hospital of the concern on 26 August. The hospital subsequently stopped using the gloves and replaced them with products that met the relevant requirements. The hospital is now investigating whether the gloves provided adequate protection and whether any staff were exposed to chemotherapy chemicals while using them. An independent organisation has been engaged to test the gloves and assess the potential exposure risk.
The exact number of staff who may have been affected has not been publicly disclosed. According to internal emails reported by the ABC, concerns about the gloves had been raised “many years ago”. A union representative said the issue may have been known about for up to a decade.
International research has linked occupational exposure to some chemotherapy drugs with increased risks including infertility, miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities and certain cancers. However, the hospital’s investigation has not yet established whether any staff were exposed in this case. The investigation is focused on staff occupational health and safety. There is currently no indication that patients were exposed as a result of the glove issue.
The Victorian branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation said staff were distressed about the possibility of exposure. ANMF Victorian branch secretary Maddy Harradence said staff were “angry, distressed and disappointed” that their health and safety may have been compromised.
HealthShare Victoria, which manages procurement for Victoria’s public health system, is also investigating whether the issue affected other hospitals. A Victorian Department of Health spokesperson said the department was working with HealthShare Victoria and health services to determine whether the issue extended beyond the Royal Children’s Hospital. The Royal Children’s Hospital said it understood the concern and uncertainty among affected staff and remained committed to communicating openly with them.
Until the investigation is completed, it remains unclear whether any staff were exposed to chemotherapy chemicals as a result of using the gloves.
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