Sophie Scamps (Mackellar, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

The Northern Beaches Hospital in Mackellar is the last public/private partnership hospital in New South Wales—but not for much longer. The private operator themselves conceded in April that it is best for patients, staff and the community that the Northern Beaches Hospital be transitioned to NSW Health to administer. The good news is the New South Wales government is currently working towards this transition. The transition of the public hospital means it will now be eligible for the same staff-to-patient ratios, junior doctor levels, IT systems and resourcing that is available to all other public hospitals across New South Wales.

The issues with the Northern Beaches Hospital were never about the staff. The medical professionals, nurses, midwives, allied health and administrative staff are all incredible and have worked tirelessly to deliver the best-quality care possible. However, there is a complexity with the transition, and that is that many of the public and private services are intermingled and will be tricky to untangle. But it is absolutely imperative that the transition does not impact the delivery of private healthcare services at the hospital.

In Mackellar, 77 per cent of adults have private hospital cover, so the people of the northern beaches need an assurance from the New South Wales health minister that the new model of care at the Northern Beaches Hospital retains the current level of private healthcare services, including the full complement of inpatient beds. (Time expired)

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