Ipswich Hospital ICU closed due to mould

Ipswich Hospital has been forced to temporarily close its intensive care unit after a mould outbreak.

West Moreton Hospital and Health Service said work had recently started to replace vents, ducts and ceiling tiles after the fungus was discovered.

WMHHS interim chief executive Dr Kerrie Freeman said in a statement on Friday a decision was made on Thursday to temporarily relocate its ICU patients.

One patient was transferred to Toowoomba Hospital while another was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

Dr Freeman said it was a precautionary measure because the risk to patients and staff was low.

"Our focus and top priority is to ensure the safety and health of our staff and the community," she said.

Ipswich Hospital's emergency department remains open and a short-term ICU has been created for existing patients in the event they deteriorate.

The engineering works are expected to take two weeks and will include testing to confirm the mould has been cleared.