Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby has today welcomed the official transition of Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH) from financially collapsed private operator Healthscope to NSW Health, marking the end of a privatisation model that put profits before people.
Under NSW Health, the hospital will benefit from integrated risk management systems, mandated safe staffing levels, and closer coordination with the Northern Sydney Local Health District and community health services.
"Today is a fresh start and turning point for community confidence in healthcare on the Northern Beaches. Walking through the wards this morning, and in recent meetings attended by both public and private doctors and nurses, the sense of optimism is real. The fact over 96 per cent of nearly 2,000 staff have chosen to stay, is a testament to their dedication to this.” Ms Scruby said.
“Being in the thick of supporting private doctors and pushing for private services to be retained has given me a real appreciation of how much work has gone into navigating this transition by Minister Park and the Local Health District.”
Ms Scruby acknowledged that many doctors have also publicly expressed their gratitude and added that no hospital is perfect. This is day one of our new public hospital, with a long-term transition plan.
“The NSW Government has publicly released the Clinical Services Plan and Model which, although private services are continuing, sees a significant cut to private cranial services and private psychiatry beds will become public mental health beds. However there are also significant expansions in critical areas like stroke treatment, spinal, and cardiology services and consultation and refinement is ongoing.”
Ms Scruby expressed her disappointment in ‘rage-bait’ and misinformation rhetoric regarding the official status of the hospital and confirmed it remains a Level 5 hospital with some Level 6 services.
“As a community we are grateful that when our troubled hospital’s operators went into financial collapse and it was being sold, the NSW government stepped in to buy the hospital and also legislate to make sure NSW does not have any future public private partnerships for acute healthcare. We also welcome the news that private hospital services are being retained following an extra-ordinary exemption from the federal government and for all the planned service expansions. We are realistic that with a major takeover like this, there will be changes, benefits and some losses as we transition to a new model.”
Ms Scruby promised to always advocate for the best healthcare services for Northern Beaches residents and will continue to question and hold the government to account.
"As the Member for Pittwater, the lived experience of my constituents and those on the frontline, together with data, will be the ultimate measure of success. I encourage residents to share their feedback, positive or otherwise with my office, as we navigate this new chapter.” Ms Scruby concluded.
The long-term model for private care remains under consultation, with an operator-run model in the future.
The Clinical Services Model and long-term Clinical Services Plan, endorsed by the Medical Advisory Committee and Medical Staff Council, are available for public review online.
Northern Beaches Hospital Clinical Services Model
ENDS