Royal Darwin Hospital Staff Reportedly Sickened by Morgue Odours
By Chloe · Published 28 Oct 2026 · Updated 28 Oct 2026
Darwin, NT · Northern Territory News
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Royal Darwin Hospital Staff Reportedly Sickened by Morgue Odours - Darwin, NT
Smart summary
A health workers’ union says pathology staff have been exposed to persistent odours from the hospital morgue, while mould concerns have also been raised at other Northern Territory health facilities.
Workers at Royal Darwin Hospital have reported feeling physically unwell because of odours they say are spreading from the hospital’s morgue, according to the Health Services Union (HSU). The union says staff have raised concerns repeatedly over several years, but the problem remains unresolved.
Royal Darwin Hospital is the Northern Territory’s largest hospital. Pathology staff, including medical scientists, work directly above the morgue and reportedly share an air-conditioning system with the facility. According to the union, this arrangement allows unpleasant odours to spread into staff working areas, particularly when bodies arrive at the morgue in an advanced state of decomposition.
HSU SA/NT branch secretary Billy Elrick said employees had described experiencing nausea, feeling unwell and suffering psychological distress because of the conditions. He said some workers were finding it increasingly difficult to attend their workplace.
The union has criticised the hospital’s ageing morgue, arguing that it is not adequately equipped to manage the regular arrival and storage of deceased people. It says the facility experiences recurring overcrowding and that its ventilation arrangements are unsuitable for preventing odours from entering nearby workspaces.
The issue has also raised concerns about dignity for grieving families and the need to provide a safe, respectful environment for staff and visitors. The union said workers had been offered measures such as air fresheners and masks, which it considers inadequate as a long-term solution.
Plans for a replacement morgue were announced by the former Northern Territory Labor government in 2023, but the proposed facility has not yet been delivered. The delay has added to questions about the condition of the existing infrastructure and the pace of improvements.
Northern Territory Health Minister Steve Edgington said the government was examining the problem and committed to finding a solution. He said $3 million had been allocated in the May budget, with $1 million intended for designing a new morgue and $2 million for repairs and maintenance. The precise cause of the odours was still being investigated, including whether air-conditioning issues were contributing to the problem.
The union has also raised concerns about mould at other health facilities in the Northern Territory. At Casuarina Plaza, where several NT Health offices are located, workers say mould has returned despite cleaning efforts. Similar concerns have been reported at Alice Springs Hospital.
The union says staff at these sites have experienced symptoms including headaches and dizziness. It has expressed particular concern about mould in a podiatry treatment room at Alice Springs Hospital, where vulnerable patients, including people who have undergone amputations, receive care.
Minister Edgington said the department was investigating alternative premises for staff based at Casuarina Plaza and had undertaken cleaning work. He also said he had asked officials to investigate the mould concerns at Alice Springs Hospital.
The HSU has indicated it may apply to the Fair Work Commission if the issues are not resolved. Such action would seek to bring further attention to workplace conditions and the responsibilities of health authorities.
The situation highlights the importance of maintaining hospital infrastructure, providing appropriate ventilation and responding promptly to reports of workplace hazards. Staff and patients depend on healthcare facilities that are safe, functional and fit for purpose, while effective remediation requires identifying the causes of problems and implementing lasting solutions.
The Northern Territory government’s response and the progress of planned repairs will be important in determining whether conditions improve for hospital workers and the communities relying on these facilities.
HospitalStaffMorgueUnionConcerns
Workers at Royal Darwin Hospital have reported feeling physically unwell because of odours they say are spreading from the hospital’s morgue, according to the Health Services Union (HSU). The union says staff have raised concerns repeatedly over several years, but the problem remains unresolved.
Royal Darwin Hospital is the Northern Territory’s largest hospital. Pathology staff, including medical scientists, work directly above the morgue and reportedly share an air-conditioning system with the facility. According to the union, this arrangement allows unpleasant odours to spread into staff working areas, particularly when bodies arrive at the morgue in an advanced state of decomposition.
HSU SA/NT branch secretary Billy Elrick said employees had described experiencing nausea, feeling unwell and suffering psychological distress because of the conditions. He said some workers were finding it increasingly difficult to attend their workplace.
The union has criticised the hospital’s ageing morgue, arguing that it is not adequately equipped to manage the regular arrival and storage of deceased people. It says the facility experiences recurring overcrowding and that its ventilation arrangements are unsuitable for preventing odours from entering nearby workspaces.
The issue has also raised concerns about dignity for grieving families and the need to provide a safe, respectful environment for staff and visitors. The union said workers had been offered measures such as air fresheners and masks, which it considers inadequate as a long-term solution.
Plans for a replacement morgue were announced by the former Northern Territory Labor government in 2023, but the proposed facility has not yet been delivered. The delay has added to questions about the condition of the existing infrastructure and the pace of improvements.
Northern Territory Health Minister Steve Edgington said the government was examining the problem and committed to finding a solution. He said $3 million had been allocated in the May budget, with $1 million intended for designing a new morgue and $2 million for repairs and maintenance. The precise cause of the odours was still being investigated, including whether air-conditioning issues were contributing to the problem.
The union has also raised concerns about mould at other health facilities in the Northern Territory. At Casuarina Plaza, where several NT Health offices are located, workers say mould has returned despite cleaning efforts. Similar concerns have been reported at Alice Springs Hospital.
The union says staff at these sites have experienced symptoms including headaches and dizziness. It has expressed particular concern about mould in a podiatry treatment room at Alice Springs Hospital, where vulnerable patients, including people who have undergone amputations, receive care.
Minister Edgington said the department was investigating alternative premises for staff based at Casuarina Plaza and had undertaken cleaning work. He also said he had asked officials to investigate the mould concerns at Alice Springs Hospital.
The HSU has indicated it may apply to the Fair Work Commission if the issues are not resolved. Such action would seek to bring further attention to workplace conditions and the responsibilities of health authorities.
The situation highlights the importance of maintaining hospital infrastructure, providing appropriate ventilation and responding promptly to reports of workplace hazards. Staff and patients depend on healthcare facilities that are safe, functional and fit for purpose, while effective remediation requires identifying the causes of problems and implementing lasting solutions.
The Northern Territory government’s response and the progress of planned repairs will be important in determining whether conditions improve for hospital workers and the communities relying on these facilities.
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