NSW is on track to prohibit the future privatization of public acute hospitals, with the state government introducing “Joe’s law” on Thursday. This legislation is named in honor of two-year-old Joe Massa, who tragically passed away at Northern Beaches hospital.
Joe Massa experienced a cardiac arrest and lost his life in September 2022 after waiting for three hours in the emergency department, which was under the management of Healthscope through a public-private partnership (PPP).
This partnership, established under the previous Coalition government, replaced two smaller public hospitals in 2018.
The Minns government planned to present an amendment to the Health Services Act to the state parliament on Thursday. Health Minister Ryan Park expressed his confidence that the bill would be passed the following week.
Health Minister Ryan Park stated, “We cannot allow this model to persist.”
The opposition leader, Mark Speakman, has yet to review the bill and has not decided whether to support it.
The proposed legislation will safeguard hospitals providing essential services like emergency, surgical, and inpatient care from future privatization efforts. Private partnerships will still be permitted for elective surgery procedures.
Christopher Minns, the premier, emphasized the significance of the announcement, made alongside Joe’s parents, Elouise and Danny Massa, who have been advocating for this change.
He acknowledged the “incredible courage” of the Massas in speaking publicly about their son’s tragic death.
“The Massas are driving this change to ensure no other family endures what they have gone through,” Minns said.
Clutching her son’s shoes, Elouise Massa asserted that “the moral compass in our healthcare system has been restored.”
She expressed deep gratitude that measures are being taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Minns confirmed that the ban will not have retroactive effects and the Northern Beaches hospital will not be immediately nationalized.
While not ruling out future options for the hospital, Minns emphasized the government’s commitment to community safety across NSW.
The government will also conduct a parliamentary inquiry into the safety and quality of services at the Northern Beaches hospital, as well as a coronial inquiry into Joe Massa’s death. Healthscope has been requested to implement all recommendations from a review of the incident submitted to NSW Health in December.
Healthscope, which manages 38 hospitals nationally, holds the contract to operate the Northern Beaches hospital until 2038.
– Australian Associated Press contributed to this report
