Northern Beaches Clinicians Warn ‘High-Volume Surgery Hub’ Risks Taking Local Care Away
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
28 January 2026
Northern Beaches Clinicians Warn ‘High-Volume Surgery Hub’ Risks Taking Local Care Away
The Northern Beaches Clinicians Alliance (NBCA) has warned that the NSW Government’s announcement positioning Northern Beaches Hospital as a ‘high-volume surgery hub’ raises serious questions about local access, transparency, and whether the needs of the Northern Beaches community are being sidelined.
“Today’s announcement begs the question of whether this decision is truly about improving healthcare on the Northern Beaches or about addressing pressures elsewhere in the system,” said NBCA spokesperson Dr David Dickison.
“Northern Beaches Hospital is already one of the best-performing hospitals in NSW. Any change must build on that success, not undermine it.”
Local Care Must Remain the Priority
Northern Beaches Hospital is now the only full-service hospital serving the region, following the closures of Manly and Mona Vale hospitals.
“This is the third time our community has been asked to give up hospital access,” Dr Dickison said.
“That history matters when new announcements are made without detail.”
Under the proposed model, the hospital is expected to increase surgical throughput for patients from across Sydney, a move that has left local patients and clinicians seeking clarity on how access will be protected.
“When care leaves the Beaches, patients don’t stop needing treatment,” Dr Dickison said.
“They travel further, wait longer, or miss out altogether.”
A Community That Contributes and Expects Fairness
The Northern Beaches has one of the highest rates of private health insurance in Australia, a factor that has long supported local access to care while reducing pressure on the public system.
“Private participation here has never been a weakness,” Dr Dickison said.
“It has helped sustain specialist services, shorten public waitlists and keep care close to home.”
Clinicians say any transition must clearly protect the co-located public–private model that underpins this capacity.
Process Matters
NBCA said the announcement follows an extended period of uncertainty for clinicians and staff.
“For a long time, we were told decisions were still being worked through,” Dr Dickison said.
“That has made today’s announcement unsettling for those delivering care on the ground.”
To date, no detailed clinical services plan, workforce modelling or transition framework has been released publicly.
“Clinicians are not opposed to change,” Dr Dickison said.
“But change without detail creates anxiety for staff and for patients.”
Holding the Government to Its Assurances
NBCA believes that continuity of services and a seamless transition are intended, but stressed that these commitments must now be made clear publicly.
“We welcome any commitment to maintaining comprehensive local services, including private care,” Dr Dickison said.
“What matters now is seeing those commitments reflected in transparent plans and guarantees.”
The NBCA is calling on the NSW Government to clearly confirm that:
Local patient access will be prioritised
Existing public and private services will be retained
Specialist teams will be supported to remain at Northern Beaches Hospital
Clinicians will be meaningfully involved in transition planning and governance
“This hospital was built for the Northern Beaches,” Dr Dickison said.
“Our expectation is that it will continue to serve this community in practice, not just in name.”
ENDS
Media contact:
Northern Beaches Clinicians Alliance
[email protected]
www.nbca.com.au
