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Dear Mr Li,

The Northern Beaches Hospital is the local hospital in the federal electorate of Warringah. It is the only private-public partnership hospital in NSW. The model was implemented by the former Coalition state government to replace the Manly and Mona Vale public hospitals.

Our office has consistently received concerning feedback from constituents about the hospital’s approach to safety and quality of their health services, since its opening in 2018. The NSW Auditor-General’s report found that the partnership was not effectively delivering the best quality integrated health services and clinical outcomes to the Northern Beaches community.

The submission contained below outlines the main concerns raised by our community including treatment of staff, integration of the private hospital into the broader public health system and the safety and welfare of patients.

In my role as Federal Member for Warringah, I remain firmly committed to advocating for a hospital that is effective, publicly accountable, and responsive to the needs of our community, as well as one that that delivers high-quality care and fosters safe, respectful working conditions for its staff.

Alongside many in the community, I advocated for this inquiry, as a parliamentary process offers a vital opportunity for scrutiny, transparency, and the development of meaningful, lasting reforms. Just as importantly, it provides a forum for people to share their experiences and to be heard and acknowledged.

The Northern Beaches Hospital has been a longstanding source of concern and, for many, distress. In the wake of several deeply troubling and high-profile incidents, I hope this inquiry will not only drive systemic change but also offer some measure of healing and closure for the community. Individuals have been encouraged to make their own submissions, so their voices are formally recorded and acknowledged. However, as the Federal representative, it is also important to present the broader concerns expressed by the Warringah community, and to ensure that the collective sentiment of the community is at the forefront of this important process.

I look forward to the outcomes of this inquiry and remain committed to working with the State Government to facilitate the hospital’s transition to full public ownership and oversight.

Yours sincerely

Zali Steggall OAM MP
Federal Member for Warringah

View full submission here