A 12-bed public mental health facility in North Hobart has been temporarily closed down after a rat infestation forced the suspension of services. Peacock House, which provides 12 acute mental health beds in North Hobart (southern Tasmania), is undergoing remediation work following the incident.

The facility, which operates as the inpatient arm of the broader Peacock Centre, suspended new admissions last week and discharged its final patient on Monday. The closure was necessitated after a “rodent issue” was identified earlier this month.

In response, the Health Department moved quickly to begin industrial cleaning and pest control. The department is now working with facilities management, an occupational hygienist, and WorkSafe Tasmania on the required remediation.

The unexpected closure has required the relocation of both patients and staff. Patients have been transferred to alternative mental health services that can adequately meet their specific clinical needs. Affected staff members have been redeployed to other acute services located in the region.

While Peacock House remains shut, the rest of the Peacock Centre continues to operate normally. This wider centre includes critical services such as the Mental Health Integration Hub and Safe Haven, which supports people experiencing acute distress or suicidal thoughts.

The temporary closure of the 12-bed unit highlights challenges in maintaining specialized public health infrastructure. The effort to reopen Peacock House is being treated seriously, with the department collaborating across multiple agencies to ensure the facility can resume its crucial function.