Public Health
Northern Beaches Hospital Inquiry recommends against privatisation
A recent Inquiry into the operation and management of the Northern Beaches Hospital has recommended against public private partnerships for future public hospitals.
Recommendation 22 states:
That the NSW Government not enter into any public private partnerships for future public hospitals.
Over three public hearings, the Inquiry analysed the operation of the facility, including standards of service, staffing and public-private partnership arrangements.
The Upper House Committee found the public-private hospital model had the “potential to negatively affect people from lower socio-economic backgrounds”.
In addition, the Inquiry recommended restoring Mona Vale Hospital to a level three emergency department from its current status as an urgent care centre.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the government had no intention of entering into other public-private hospital arrangements but that future governments can “do what they like”. He has also ruled out any upgrades to Mona Vale Hospital to provide ED services.
Read the full report and recommendations here. The government response to the recommendation is available to view here.