Today’s announcement that a Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce set up by the NSW Treasurer will start work immediately is “an important step to get our hospital back into public hands, and protect public patients and tax payers from being taken advantage of by Healthscope”, says Independent Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby.
“The Liberal Government’s secretive deal with Healthscope sold out our community. We want the hospital back — and we’re done with Healthscope taking advantage of public resources,” Ms Scruby said.
She warned that Healthscope’s recent proposal to hand public services back must not come at the public’s expense. “We need clear scrutiny of what’s being returned, how it will improve services, and whether taxpayers are getting a fair deal.”
“The community also needs answers around what exactly will be bought back, given 60% of the hospital is public, and how services will improve from what they are today.” Ms Scruby said.
Ms Scruby notes the NSW Auditor-General’s report is imminent and that there is a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the hospital, open to the public to make submissions until 20 May.
“My community must maintain pressure on the NSW Government and write into the current public NSW Parliamentary inquiry. We need people to tell their stories so we know how services need to improve and we understand how Healthscope has failed its contractual arrangements.”
“I urge everyone who has had a poor experience at the hospital to make a submission to the current Parliamentary Inquiry. Submissions close on 20 May 2025.
“Every experience matters, every story counts and will help push for change. This is an important opportunity to help shape the future of public health in our region,” said Ms Scruby.
“The Liberal Party has been silent on this hospital and how it has let down our community and is now calling for its immediate return. Unscrambling an egg needs to be done with due diligence and in a way that we avoid disastrous impacts putting profit above public interest.
“I know my constituents who rely on the hospital will be reassured that the priority is that there is no impact on health services at Northern Beaches Hospital while the Taskforce does its work.”