URGENT UPDATE: In a major shift for healthcare in New South Wales, the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney will return to public ownership for $190 million. This decision comes as the government aims to prevent tragedies like the death of two-year-old Joe Massa, who died in 2024 after a three-hour wait in the emergency department.
The NSW government has reached an initial agreement with hospital owner Healthscope, which is currently in receivership. NSW Premier Chris Minns announced the plan today, confirming that all clinical and support staff will receive job offers from NSW Health, with entitlements like long-service leave being transferred. The transition is expected to finalize by mid-2026.
This move follows a significant public outcry led by Joe’s parents, Elouise and Danny Massa, whose relentless campaign prompted the passing of “Joe’s Law”, which bans future private-public hospital partnerships. Elouise Massa expressed hope for a safer healthcare environment, stating, “These are Joe’s shoes, and I proudly carry them with me everywhere I go. They are making monumental steps in ensuring we have a safe hospital at Northern Beaches.”
The decision comes amid ongoing discussions about the future of Healthscope, which operates 36 hospitals across Australia. There are growing concerns regarding a not-for-profit model that would rely on taxpayer benefits to sustain operations.
The death of another infant, Harper Atkinson, after a delay in receiving surgery at the same facility has further fueled criticism of the private-public partnership model. The family of James Tsindos, a teenager who died due to anaphylaxis, is also questioning the care he received at a Healthscope-run hospital in Melbourne.
Health Minister Ryan Park criticized the previous coalition government’s approach, labeling it a “failed model” for healthcare delivery. An April auditor-general’s report highlighted the tensions between profit motives and patient care at the hospital, accusing management of insufficient action to mitigate clinical safety risks.
The Australian Medical Association has called for the continuation of private services, emphasizing the need for patient choice in healthcare options. Meanwhile, the doctors’ union ASMOF supports the transition, believing it will address longstanding issues of understaffing and overwork that have plagued staff and patients alike.
As the healthcare landscape in New South Wales shifts dramatically, the focus now turns to what the finalized model will be and how it will impact healthcare delivery for the community. The urgent need for reform is palpable, and many are hopeful that this change will lead to improved safety and care standards in public hospitals.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as more details emerge regarding the transition of the Northern Beaches Hospital back to public hands.
