The NSW Government will today announce sweeping legislation that will ban all future public private partnerships being imposed on the state’s acute hospitals.
Premier, Chris Minns says the legislation will protect hospitals which provide services such as emergency, surgical and inpatient services from any future Government entering into such partnerships which limit public control over hospital services.
The Health Services Amendment (PPP Prohibition) Bill 2025 (NSW) will achieve this by preventing governments from entering into a Northern Beaches-style arrangement to build or operate an acute public hospital.
The law will honour the memory and legacy of toddler Joe Massa who tragically died at Sydney’s Northern Beaches Hospital in September last year, the Premier said.
“Today we are announcing that under ‘Joe’s Law’, NSW will ban all future public private partnerships being imposed on the state’s acute hospitals.”
“As a Labor government, we believe critical public services like acute hospitals should remain in public hands, safeguarded from privatisation.
“The NSW Government is committed to delivering the healthcare that the people of NSW rely on to keep our communities safe,” said Mr Minns.
He said the protection of acute hospitals will apply to any future Government which seeks to pursue a privatisation agenda.
Health Minister Ryan Park will introduce legislation in the NSW Legislative Assembly to amend the Health Services Act 1997 (NSW) to this effect.
“From the very beginning, we’ve adamantly opposed these sorts of arrangements – and we will continue to oppose them, now and into the future,” said Minister Park.
“What we are doing today is to deliver further protection of our hospitals – honouring the memory and legacy of toddler Joe Massa.
“Joe’s Law will mean that public hospitals which provide services such as emergency, surgical and inpatient services, will be protected under this government and from any future government that wishes to enter into such partnerships with private providers.
“Our major and local community hospitals should be run by the people.”
This legislation forms part of the Government’s broader response to ongoing community concerns in relation to the quality and safety of health services delivered at Northern Beaches Hospital, including:
- A parliamentary inquiry into the hospital;
- A review of the systems and processes surrounding paediatric care at Northern Beaches Hospital, led by the Clinical Excellence Commission;
- A roundtable to improve the accessibility of the REACH protocol (Recognise, Engage, Act, Call, Help is on its way);
- Requesting a coronial inquest; and
- A commitment to ensure Healthscope implements all recommendations of the Serious Adverse Event Review into Joe Massa’s death.
