The Minns Government is promising more healthcare by making use of Northern Beaches Hospital to clear surgery backlogs at other NSW hospitals. But what will this mean for local patients? Catherine Lewis reports.
Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH) is to become a surgical hub, with up to 5,000 additional elective surgeries planned each year for patients from across Sydney, the Illawarra and Central Coast. It’s a move that NSW Premier Chris Minns promises will ‘improve access to healthcare by speeding up planned surgeries across the state,’ but many patients and clinicians fear it will force local patients out.
The High Volume Planned Surgery Centre will be the first in NSW when it opens in July this year and will focus on high-demand specialties such as ophthalmology, orthopaedics, ear, nose and throat, general surgery and gynaecology. Patients will be referred to the centre from some of the busiest areas in the state including Western Sydney – either directly by their specialist if accredited to work at NBH, or via transfer from a waitlist at their local hospital.
The hub – tipped to cost $5 million to establish, and $10 million annually to run – is the ‘cornerstone’ of the deal with private operator Healthscope to return the entire 494-bed hospital to public ownership by late April. NBH will soon be under NSW Health management through Northern Sydney Local Health District. Minister for Health Ryan Park – who calls the legacy of privatisation ‘seismic’ – says that the hub will ensure far better choice for ‘thousands’ of patients, slashing wait times and offering ‘much-needed relief to hospitals around the state.’ “This is a win for the Northern Beaches community and for patients right across NSW,” he adds.
But is it? Do shorter wait times for NSW equal longer wait times for locals? Does NBH truly have capacity to fulfil 5,000 extra surgeries once it transitions to public? Northern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Schembri, promises that the hub will provide ‘quicker access to elective surgery’ – surely a boon for the Beaches. Currently, the hospital delivers around 35,000 surgeries per year, 20,000 private and 15,000 public and Wakehurst MP Michael Regan, tells PL that he has ‘received assurances’ from the Minister for Health that Beaches residents will ‘continue to have priority access to surgery services’ once the hub opens.
“The hub announcement will mean no change for locals. These extra surgeries will be using excess and additional capacity,” Mr Regan says. “The new hub will bring further investment into surgical capacity at our local hospital – which is a good thing.” The MP adds that the public hospital system ‘works as a network,’ with Beaches residents already travelling out of area for specialised services elsewhere, such as Westmead’s famed paediatrics. “Having the hub is part of operating in an integrated public health care network which brings so many benefits – better staffing, better patient record management and better treatment pathways,” he adds.
But the Northern Beaches Clinicians Alliance (NBCA), an independent association led and supported by clinicians who live and work on the Beaches, fears that the decision may be grounded in addressing pressures elsewhere rather than in truly improving local care. The NBCA has doubts over local access to care, transparency and whether the needs of a community that has already lost Manly and Mona Vale hospitals – are being sidelined.
“This is the third time our community has been asked to give up hospital access,” says orthopaedic surgeon and NBCA spokesperson David Dickison, adding that NBH is now the only full-service hospital serving the region. “When care leaves the Beaches, patients don’t stop needing treatment. They travel further, wait longer, or miss out altogether. That history matters when new announcements are made without detail,” he adds.
“Clinicians are not opposed to change, but change without detail creates anxiety for staff and for patients,” says the doctor, urging government to confirm that existing public and private services will be retained, locals will be prioritised, specialist teams will be supported to remain at NBH and clinicians will be involved in transition planning and governance.
“This hospital was built for the Northern Beaches,” Dr Dickison adds. “Our expectation is that it will continue to serve this community in practice, not just in name. NBH is already one of the best-performing hospitals in NSW – any change must build on that success, not undermine it.”
In agreement is NBH head of maternity, David Jollow, who says that there are ‘real fears’ that many staff members ‘will now leave.’ “Senior medical staff agree that Northern Sydney Local Health District should run the public component of the hospital, but more than 200 senior medical staff passed a resolution recently seeking the continuation of private services for the community,” he adds.
for the Northern Beaches community and for patients right across NSW.”
Minister for Health Ryan Park
The Northern Beaches has one of the highest rates of private health insurance in Australia, with 79% of residents holding coverage, compared to a 55% national average, says Private Health Australia. This has historically supported significant private service usage at NBH, ensuring local access to care while reducing pressure on the public system.
But a community that contributes expects fairness in return and Kathryn Austin, Australian Medical Association (NSW) president, says there remains ongoing doubt over whether the hospital will retain its Level 5 capability – high-level complex care. There is also uncertainty about how its 494 beds will be sustainably funded, and how lost private capacity will be replaced. Some highly specialised doctors have already departed for Terrey Hills’ new Wyvern Private Hospital.
“Any reduction in private services, which previously contributed to funding the hospital’s public services, is a slap in the face to a community which was promised 20 years of high-level private health care,” continues Dr Austin. “Private hospitals are a vital cog in our health system, taking pressure off our public hospitals, which are already under significant strain. The people of the Northern Beaches deserve a choice in how they receive health care.”
MP Regan tells PL that he is seeking ‘urgent commitment’ from the State Government to a ‘long-term co-located private hospital model, to maintain private services, as well as an interim arrangement so private services are not disrupted when the hospital goes fully public.’ “The State Government has appointed health sector leader David Swan to provide independent advice on future private health opportunities at NBH and how they can be co-located on the campus,” confirms the MP.
A dearth of communication with those at the coalface of NBH’s day-to-day is the crux of the issue in terms of both the transition back to public and the planned hub. Uncertainty breeds fear. Federal Member for Mackellar Sophie Scamps has urged the State Government to ‘maintain its commitment’ to genuine consultation with hospital staff, telling PL: “People expect investments in their hospital to improve, not disrupt, access to care.”