Private Services to stay at Northern Beaches Hospital
photo supplied
The Minns Labor Government has confirmed that the 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 government stated 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.
Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
“This highlights the commitment of the Minns Labor Government to deliver on a long-term plan for private services.
“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 dedication to their communities.”
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 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.”
“I will be maintaining pressure on the NSW Government to engage a private operator for a co-located private hospital in the long term.”
Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan:
“The patients 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.’
AMA (NSW)President Dr. Kathryn Austin said:
''AMA (NSW) welcomes the announcement that private services will continue at Northern Beaches Hospital until June next year.
AMA (NSW) worked closely with doctors and the NSW Government on this issue for several months and we acknowledge the significant efforts of Health Minister Ryan Park in achieving this outcome and his commitment to implementing a longer term plan for private services at the hospital beyond June next year.
We also note the NSW Government intends to move toward a co-located private model as part of longer-term planning and we will continue to advocate strongly to ensure any future arrangements strengthen clinical services.
Private services at Northern Beaches Hospital are not an optional extra. They are integral to the hospital’s operating model and essential to maintaining stability, workforce retention and system capacity on the northern beaches.
This is a clear demonstration that our sustained, evidence-based advocacy on behalf of doctors and patients delivers results.''
Zali Steggall, MP for Warringah, stated:
''I welcome the news that the community will continue to have access to private health services at Northern Beaches Hospital.
Private health services provide important choice for people with private insurance. This is particularly significant in our community, where a high proportion of residents hold private health cover and rely on timely access to elective surgery and specialist care.
As the Australian Medical Association has highlighted, more than 20,000 private surgeries are performed at Northern Beaches Hospital each year. Without the continuation of private services, many of these patients would have been forced onto already stretched public hospital waiting lists or required to travel significant distances to access private care elsewhere.
Maintaining private services will help preserve patient choice, reduce pressure on the public system and support the retention of specialist skills locally.
I am also pleased that the option of a private hospital on the site is being actively considered. Ensuring a sustainable model that continues to deliver both public and private healthcare services is vital for meeting the growing needs of our community.
I commend Jacqui Scruby, the NSW Member for Pittwater, and Michael Regan, the NSW Member for Wakehurst, for advocating to the NSW Government to secure this outcome.
I also acknowledge and thank the many community members who have worked tirelessly to raise their concerns and ensure the unique healthcare needs of the northern beaches were clearly understood. I also thank the medical staff who lobbied strongly for the continuation of private services. Their commitment to patient care and their advocacy on behalf of our community have been instrumental in achieving this result.
I will continue to consult with the community on this issue and advocate for high-quality, accessible healthcare for all residents.''
Sophie Scamps, MP for Mackellar, stated:
“The Commonwealth’s approval to enable this to occur has been essential to ensure continuity of care is maintained for Northern Beaches residents throughout the transition, and I’m pleased that my advocacy on behalf of our community has helped deliver this agreement,” Dr Scamps said.
Dr Scamps also welcomed the NSW Government’s commitment to finalise a longterm plan for private services, including a thorough investigation of the benefits of a co-located private hospital model as part of the hospital’s future service mix.
“This commitment from the NSW Government is vital, but I know that many community members and clinicians are still seeking long-term certainty about which private services will be retained beyond the transition period,” she said.
“I understand these concerns, and I will continue working closely with clinicians, nurses, the AMA, and both the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to ensure that future decisions reflect the growing needs and expectations of the community.''