Northern Beaches Hospital in Crisis: Doctors Blame Chronic Bed Block and Low Staffing Levels Under Private Operator Healthscope

Doctors at Northern Beaches Hospital report alarmingly low staffing levels and "bed block" issues under private operator Healthscope and its owner Brookfield. Feedback from 30 doctors revealed patients, including a stroke victim, waited hours in emergency department chairs due to bed shortages. The audit will compare the hospital's performance with similar-sized public hospitals in NSW and investigate whether NSW Health can effectively monitor risks at NBH.

Introduction:
The Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH), a public-private partnership (PPP) between the New South Wales (NSW) government and Healthscope, has been in operation since late 2018. However, recent reports from doctors at the facility have raised concerns over low staffing levels, bed shortages, and extended wait times in the emergency department (ED) [1]. This article examines the current state of affairs at NBH, focusing on the ED and general surgery departments, and investigates whether NSW Health agencies are effectively monitoring risks and ensuring the delivery of quality public hospital services.

Staffing Shortages and Bed Block Issues:
A survey conducted by 30 doctors at NBH revealed alarming findings, with patients, including a stroke victim, waiting hours in ED chairs due to bed shortages [1]. The doctors' feedback highlights the need for immediate attention to address these issues, which could potentially compromise patient care and safety.

Effective Monitoring and Identification of Risks:
The audit will compare NBH's performance against similar-sized public hospitals in NSW, focusing on the ED and general surgery departments [1]. This comparison will help identify any potential risks to the success of the PPP and ensure that NSW Health agencies are effectively monitoring these risks.

Contract Management and Service Delivery:
The audit will also examine whether NSW Health agencies are effectively managing the NBH contract to ensure the delivery of quality public hospital services [1]. This includes assessing whether the operator is meeting contract requirements for performance, planning, and reporting.

Conclusion:
The ongoing concerns over staffing shortages, bed block issues, and extended wait times at Northern Beaches Hospital underscore the importance of effective monitoring and contract management by NSW Health agencies. The upcoming audit, which will focus on the ED and general surgery departments, will provide valuable insights into the current state of affairs at NBH and help identify any potential risks to the success of the PPP.

References:
[1] Audit of Northern Beaches Hospital. (2022, June 1). Retrieved from https://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/our-work/reports/northern-beaches-hospital