Critical Care cameras being installed at Northern Beaches Hospital
Over-the-bed critical care cameras which provide real-time images of seriously ill babies and children are being installed at Northern Beaches Hospital following the Clinical Excellence Commission’s Independent Inquiry into the hospital’s emergency department, which identified the absence of this technology as a serious concern.
The Inquiry, commissioned by the Secretary of NSW Health, lists 13 Recommendations, 5 of which have a suggested timeframe of [within] 3 months.
Number 7 of these is ''Urgently address the lack of access to CCON cameras at NBH to ensure equitable clinical support during neonatal and paediatric emergencies.''
Critical Care Overbed Network (CCON), also referred to Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS) cameras, are high-definition video systems that enable real-time access to NETS specialists and other paediatric experts. They help support emergency consultations and, where necessary, the safe retrieval of critically unwell babies and children.
“The absence of access to CCON cameras is particularly concerning, as it restricts real-time visual consultation and clinical decision-making support during neonatal and paediatric emergencies—support that is standard in public facilities.'' the report says
Minister for Health, the Hon. Ryan Park, announced on Friday August 22 the cameras were undergoing testing and were expected to be switched on within a matter of weeks.
The specialist camera units are being installed in the emergency department, paediatric ward and special care nursery.
Previously, Northern Beaches Hospital did not have a connection to NSW Health’s data network which would have enabled the video camera connection.
Clinicians would communicate with NETS via phone when seeking clinical advice in a neonatal or paediatric emergency.
NSW Minister for Health, the Hon Ryan Park said:
“One of the great benefits of these cameras is that when in use the NETS clinicians can become very involved in the care often acting as another pair of eyes.
“The cameras are controlled at the NETS end so they can zoom in and look closely at the patient, or at the monitoring equipment to watch real time changes as they occur.
“These cameras are vital in providing specialist advice to clinicians on the ground dealing with a paediatric emergency.
“I hope this will provide some reassurance to the northern beaches community in light of the tragic death of Joe Massa.
“I would like to thank Joe’s parents, Elouise and Danny Massa, who have advocated tirelessly on behalf of the community for improvements to be made at Northern Beaches Hospital.
“Today, I am pleased to say that as a result of NSW Health’s work with Healthscope, the operator of Northern Beaches Hospital, these cameras are now being installed.”
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby said:
“I am relieved and encouraged that over-the-bed critical care cameras are being installed at Northern Beaches Hospital. These cameras are a critical tool to ensure that clinicians can access specialist support in real time, giving our most vulnerable patients the best possible chance of receiving life-saving care.
“This highlights the urgent need for the hospital’s operations to remain firmly focused on patient safety. Our community cannot accept anything less. I thank the Massa family for their tireless advocacy, which has helped bring these improvements to fruition, and I will continue to push NSW Health and Healthscope to prioritise safety and high-quality care at Northern Beaches Hospital.”
On Tuesday August 5 a six-year-old local girl passed away at the Northern Beaches hospital after being sent home twice from Sydney Children's Hospital, diagnosed with influenza, on the Monday.
A spokesperson for the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN) said it "expresses our deepest condolences to the family for the loss of their child".
"SCHN is progressing an initial review into the patient's care while at the hospital."
A spokesperson for Northern Beaches Hospital said: "Alongside Sydney Children's Hospital Network, where the child received care earlier in the day, we will undertake the appropriate investigations in line with NSW Health policy, including a joint independent review."
The loss of this kindergarten aged little girl has been referred to the coroner and will be the subject of a joint Serious Adverse Event Review (SAER), SAERs investigate serious clinical incidents.
There have been another 2,200 children under 10 contracting influenza in the week to August 16. Children 19 and under account for 43% of all cases. There have been over 1000 influenza presentations to emergency departments in the week to August 16. As many people do not record they have the flu, the numbers represent a small proportion of those who have flu.
NSW Health is contuing to urge people to book in for a flu shot as cases remain high across the state.
Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce discussions ongoing
The government also stated on Friday that discussions between the Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce, Healthscope and its receivers remain ongoing.
'It remains the preference of the NSW Government that a negotiated agreement on the future control and operation of the Northern Beaches Hospital can be achieved.' the government said in a release.
On Thursday April 10 2025 Healthscope announced it 'has confirmed to the New South Wales Government that it is willing to commence discussions about returning the public hospital at Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH) to the NSW public system, consistent with the project deed - but wanted to retain the private part of the hospital until 2058.
The Audit Office of NSW Report released its report on the Northern Beaches Hospital on 17 April, and urged the state government to consider whether the public-private model was appropriate for health care delivery, stating the operating model created tension between commercial and clinical outcomes.
Healthscope had also been rapidly going downhill financially for some time as well, and was carrying huge debt.
On Monday 26 May 2025 Healthscope announced it’s parent entities had entered receivership, with its lenders appointing McGrathNicol Restructuring to work with Healthscope management to complete an orderly sale of the business.
The operational business, which runs the hospitals, is not in receivership. Healthscope stated then the Group’s 37 hospitals all remain open and operating on a business-as-usual basis with no impact on staff, doctors or patient care.
On Tuesday August 19 Healthscope announced the sale of Tweed Day Surgery to specialist operator Day Hospital Partners (DHP), effective 1 October 2025.
Healthscope said in a statement it believes proceeding with the sale is in the best interests of employees, doctors and the local community and that there will be no impact on jobs or hospital services. All staff will continue in their existing roles, and patient care will proceed without interruption.
Healthscope CEO Tino La Spina said the sale reflects Healthscope’s commitment to ensuring continuity of care for the Tweed community, staff and doctors: “We’re pleased to have secured a future for Tweed Day Surgery with Day Hospital Partners, a group with a strong track record in delivering quality day surgery services. Our patients, staff and doctors will have our full support to transition to this new future for the facility, as it continues to serve the community.”