Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Dear colleagues, Northern Beaches Hospital has officially transitioned into NSW Health, marking a significant milestone for our district. It was a privilege to welcome NSW Premier Chris Minns, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, Health Minister Ryan Park and Health Secretary Susan Pearce, alongside local members and health leaders, to recognise this important moment. I would like to formally acknowledge all Northern Beaches Hospital staff as part of the district. We are delighted to have you join us and look forward to working together as one team to continue delivering high- quality care for the community. This transition reflects an enormous collective effort. From the teams working through the Transition Command Centre to those on the ground maintaining continuity of care, the professionalism and collaboration on display have been exceptional. Thank you to everyone involved for your dedication, flexibility and commitment throughout this process. I also extend my sincere thanks to the Northern Beaches community for their patience and support. On 1 May, we celebrated Administrative Professionals Day, recognising the people who keep our services running behind the scenes. Administrative professionals are central to the functioning of our organisation, bringing structure and consistency to what can often be complex and fast-paced environments. I was also delighted that we were able to celebrate Northern Beaches administrative staff as well. On 5 May, we recognised International Day of the Midwife, celebrating the extraordinary contribution of our midwives. This year’s theme, One Million More Midwives, highlights both the global need and the local impact of this profession. Every one of us has been supported by a midwife at some point in our lives. Their skill, compassion and advocacy shape the earliest moments of care, and I thank our midwives for the vital role they play across our district every day. This week marks Human Experience Week,
an opportunity to reflect on how each of us contributes to the experiences of our patients, families, carers and colleagues. The human experience is shaped in everyday interactions, through care, kindness and professionalism, and every role has a part to play. We also recognised World Hand Hygiene Day. The message is clear: Action saves lives. Hand hygiene remains one of the most effective ways to prevent infection and protect our patients and each other. Whether using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water, before and after every patient interaction, it is a fundamental part of safe care. Gloves are not a substitute. To support good planning and ensure we can provide the right support for our workforce, I encourage all staff to complete the workforce census by reviewing and updating your personal details in StaffLink: https://stafflink.hss.health.nsw.gov.au/ This helps us better understand our workforce and strengthen inclusion, accessibility and wellbeing across the district. Participation is voluntary and confidential, including the option to share information about disability. I encourage everyone to update your record if you are able to do so. Finally, I would like to highlight the importance of flu vaccination. At present, 26 per cent of staff have been vaccinated, and there is an opportunity for us to improve this in the coming weeks. Vaccination helps protect you, your colleagues and the vulnerable patients in our care. If you have not yet received your flu vaccine, I encourage you to consider doing so as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued care, professionalism and commitment to our community. Warm regards,
Anthony Schembri Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
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NSLHDNEWS | ISSUE 8| 08 MAY 2026
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