The State Government announced that patients will continue to have access to private services at Northern Beaches Hospital until 30 June 2027 to ensure continuity of care, patient safety and to maintain existing services for the community. This means that private patients will continue to be booked by their surgeon as they do now.
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 benefits of a co-located model, akin to the way many public hospitals across Sydney operate.
The entire hospital will transfer to public ownership on 29 April and an extra 5,000 surgeries will be performed at the hospital each year through the newly established Surgery Hub.
Independent Wakehurst MP Michael Regan has welcomed the news that the hospital will provide long-sought certainty for patients, doctors and staff as the hospital transitions into public ownership.
“Northern Beaches patients who want to use their private health insurance to have a procedure at their local hospital, with a doctor of their choice and at a time of their choice, will continue to be able to do so,” Mr Regan said. “There is now no barrier to booking private surgeries at Northern Beaches Hospital beyond April.”
Independent Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby said it was ‘a huge win.’
“Today’s announcement comes after months of advocacy and I thank the community, Australian Medical Association, doctors and the government for delivering for the Northern Beaches,” Ms Scruby said on social media.
Mr Regan said he will continue to work closely with clinicians, nurses, patient groups and government to ensure the final model best meets the healthcare needs of the Northern Beaches community.
“I will keep advocating for a long-term operating model that includes co-located private services. This announcement today allows the NSW Government time to make careful smart decisions about the long-term future of our hospital.”
