The Minns Labor Government has confirmed that the Northern Beaches community will continue to have access to private services at Northern Beaches Hospital.
Under an interim arrangement, when NSW Health takes back operational management of the hospital, private services will continue to be offered until 30 June 2027, ensuring patient safety and maintaining continuity of patient care.
The arrangement is critical to minimise any large-scale and sudden changes to care delivery, which might otherwise increase risk to patient care.
During this interim period, the NSW Government will continue to work with the community and clinicians to finalise and implement a long-term plan for private services, including investigating the opportunities of a co-located model, akin to the way many public hospitals across Sydney operate.
NSW Health appointed health sector leader David Swan to provide independent expert advice on future private health opportunities at Northern Beaches Hospital with his recommendations expected next month.
Under the agreement for transition of the hospital:
- The entire 494-bed hospital will return to public ownership
- Clinical and support staff currently working at Northern Beaches Hospital have been offered jobs by NSW Health at the facility, and
- Staff entitlements to annual, long service and sick leave will transfer across from Healthscope to NSW Health.
This builds on the recent announcement of the state's first High Volume Surgery Hub to be established at Northern Beaches Hospital, expanding the hospital's role and helping reduce surgery wait times across NSW.
Up to an extra 5,000 surgeries will be performed at the hospital each year through the newly established Surgery Hub, helping to reduce surgical wait lists while easing demand on hospitals across the state.
It is anticipated that the hospital will transition back into public hands by mid-2026.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"This highlights the commitment of the Minns Labor Government to deliver on a long-term plan for private services at Northern Beaches.
"We know that is what the community, the patients and the clinicians want, and we are working towards this goal.
"I would like to thank clinicians and staff for their continued hard work advocating for their patients, as well as local members Jacqui Scruby and Michael Regan for their tireless advocacy and dedication to their communities."
Quotes attributable to Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby:
"This is the announcement we've been calling for. After the collapse of Healthscope, our community has been concerned about the loss of private services. Today's announcement makes it clear both state and federal governments are committed to ensuring they continue. Patients and doctors now have the certainty they need in the medium term."
"It's a win win for the people of the Northern Beaches and one we've been fighting for - a publicly owned, public hospital and co-located private services. I want to acknowledge the genuine engagement from private doctors, the AMA and the NSW Government to get a solution that delivers for the people of the Northern Beaches."
"I will be maintaining pressure on the NSW Government to engage a private operator for a co-located private hospital in the long term."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan:
"The patients of the Northern Beaches will now have the best of both worlds at our local hospital. A public hospital with best practice systems and more resources, as well as continued access and choice to excellent private services. This is a massive win for our community.
"I'm pleased our advocacy on this critical issue has been listened to and acted on by government. They are providing the certainty medical staff and patients have been asking for. Thank you.'
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