NSLHD’s Safety and Quality Newsletter provides information on new and upcoming activities, programs and initiatives within the district that aim to improve the safety of our patients and the quality of our care.
FEBRUARY 2026
Northern Beaches Hospital Transition Newsletter
Clinical Services Planning Underway
Further update on NBH operational transition: 1 To support the transition of NBH and the work being done by NSLHD, David Swan Advisory was engaged by NSW Health on Monday 24 November 2025, to provide independent expert advice on the provision of co-located public and private services at NBH. 2 This work will help determine the safest, most effective and sustainable way for public and private services to operate together. 3 David has been consulting widely with NBH staff including clinicians and managers, and will work with NSLHD and the Ministry of Health to review existing plans to assess future service needs, risks, benefits and partnership opportunities. 4 The aim of David’s work is to gather information to support clear and informed decision-making.
The first set of specialities that are being reviewed as part of the NSLHD Clinical Services Plan (CSP) have been released as the district prepares to fully integrate Northern Beaches Hospital.
With less than three months until the hospital is handed over, much work is being done on the clinical services planning with clinicians from Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH) and NSLHD. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the consultation had been very productive and feedback on the first tranche of recommendations with clinical council was pleasing. Work on the CSP started on Monday 1 December. It is a key strategic initiative that will inform the updating of the existing NSLHD Clinical Services Plan 2024-2029 to ensure NBH is fully integrated into the district’s service configuration and future planning. The first tranche (A) looked at services including, emergency medicine and the urgent care centre, cardiothoracic and vascular
health, musculoskeletal and trauma, neurosciences, oral and maxillofacial surgery, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and mental health. Consultation on the tranche A specialities closes on Friday, 13 February. Planning is currently occurring for tranche B which includes surgery and anaesthetics, maternal neonatal and women’s health, children and young people, PARVAN, cancer and haematology, and supportive and palliative care. Planning will start on 16th February for tranche C which includes acute and critical care, chronic and complex medicine, rehabilitation and aged health, clinical support services, virtual care and hospital- in-the-home, and primary and community health. The release of the CSP will be on the 24th April.
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NBH Transition News
Message from NSLHD Chief Executive
Many of you would have received your letters of offer for employment with the district at the end of last year. For those of you who are yet to respond, please send your signed job offer acceptances as soon as possible. Thank you to those who have responded to your offers – we are delighted to be welcoming and inducting you into the district. Please remember you can send enquiries to NSLHD-NSLHDJobOffer@ health.nsw.gov.au or drop into the workforce transition centre on level 6 in Northern Beaches Hospital. Momentum is in full swing with the transition and we have made fantastic progress with the refreshed Northern Beaches Hospital Clinical Services Plan alongside our workforce planning. I would like to thank every staff member involved in the collaborative process of helping with this planning. We understand the coming months may bring an added layer of complexity and
disruption to your already busy roles, but our goal is to continue working collaboratively to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and you are constantly supported throughout the transition. If you require additional support during this time, you can contact the Healthscope employee assistance provider: Converge 1300 687 327 – 24/7 toll free number. Healthshare staff can contact hsnsw-sharedserviceevolution@ health.nsw.gov.au for any queries. I look forward to hosting another town hall in the coming weeks to showcase the incoming Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) which is going to transform our healthcare. If you have any questions during the transition period, you can also contact NSW Health staff or your Healthscope manager for assistance. NSW Health will contact you if we require further information to assist with the transition process.
Thank you all for the dedication you show every day in caring for your community. I look forward to visiting and meeting as many of you as possible throughout the year. Warm regards,
Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM
Chief Executive Northern Sydney Local Health District
Senior clinicians join constructive conversation on the future of Northern Beaches Hospital Medical, nursing and allied health staff have come together for a series of highly constructive briefings on the transition agreement process.
A recent session was led by NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri, with the Minister for Health Ryan Park and James Kemp, chief of staff to Mr Park. It provided an opportunity to discuss the refresh of the Northern Beaches Hospital Clinical Services Plan. The clinicians were taken through the process for engaging senior medical, nursing and allied health staff and executive leaders in the service plan refresh, along with the three key tranches of activity that will shape the review.
The discussion included an overview of private health opportunities and the recent appointment of David Swan as the independent advisor on the future private health model at Northern Beaches Hospital. Staff also heard how they will be actively involved in the clinically-led planning process , supported by the NSLHD Planning Unit, and how feedback from across clinical disciplines will inform the final recommendations. Anthony thanked the medical staff for attending the sessions and for the constructive feedback they provided.
“The response from clinicians on the night was extremely positive,” he said. “The two-hour discussion has already offered valuable insights into what is working well at Northern Beaches Hospital and where the opportunities lie. ”It was wonderful to attend such a collegiate, open and forward-looking meeting, reinforcing the strong commitment of senior clinicians to shaping a high-performing, integrated health service for the Northern Beaches community.”
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February 2026
Message from NBH CEO As we step into 2026, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the way our teams have hit the ground running and to say how incredibly proud I am of where Northern Beaches Hospital stands today.
We closed out 2025 with significant and sustained improvements across our quality metrics, sustained improvements with the Patient Experience and Net Promoter Score – an achievement that should not be underestimated. Month after month, our teams continued to lift performance, deliver safe, high-quality care, and improve the experience of our patients and families, despite an environment that has been anything but straightforward. What makes this particularly remarkable is how these improvements were achieved. Throughout 2025, we navigated intense public scrutiny, media attention, parliamentary inquiries, Auditor-General reviews and the complexities of a government acquisition - all while continuing to show up for our patients and for one
another. Not many organisations can continue to improve under that level of pressure. The resilience, professionalism and commitment of this team is extraordinary, and it is something we should all be immensely proud of. As we move further into 2026, we do so with momentum - but also with important work ahead. The coming months will be significant as we continue our transition to NSW Health. To support this process, I encourage everyone to review and respond to your letter of offer from NSLHD, return your leave transfer forms, and reach out to your manager or an executive leader if you have any questions or concerns. Open conversations and early clarification will help ensure this transition is as smooth as possible for everyone.
Thank you for the care, discipline and teamwork you continue to demonstrate every day. Whatever challenges come next, I have absolute confidence in this hospital and the people who make it what it is.
Kathryn Berry Interim CEO Northern Beaches Hospital
The first tranche of the Clinical Services Plan recommendations has been released for broader consultation. Following months of consultation with staff, the first stage of recommendations of the CSP have been released to give staff an opportunity to provide feedback. Independent expert supports next phase of NBH service planning
David brings more than 35 years of experience as a chief executive across major public and private hospitals in multiple states, including leading six public–private hospital co-locations. Much of David’s work has already helped influence the refreshed Clinical Services Plan, which will provide a strong base for the hospital as it continues its transition to the public health system, and support clear and informed decision-making for patients, staff and the wider community. NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri thanked staff for being part
David Swan Independent Advisor
of the planning process, with feedback received overwhelmingly positive so far. “This is about gathering the right information to support thoughtful planning and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients and the community,” Anthony said. “I want to assure staff that the advisory work is not about making immediate changes, but about building a clear evidence base to guide future planning together.”
At the same time, independent health advisor David Swan has been meeting with clinicians from both NBH and NSLHD on the future of public and private services at NBH. David’s appointment will help inform the safest, most effective and sustainable way for public and private services to operate side-by-side at the hospital into the future.
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NBH Transition News
L-R: Pittwater MP Michael Regan, Premier Chris Minns, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Health Minister Ryan Park
High-volume surgical centre at Northern Beaches Hospital
Northern Beaches Hospital will soon be home to a high-volume surgical centre following an announcement from the NSW Government as part of the hospital’s transition to public ownership.
NSW Premier Chris Minns made the announcement at the hospital, joined by NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, local MPs and NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri. The centre builds on the expertise and technology at Northern Beaches Hospital, and is set to reduce surgery waiting times and allow for an additional 5000 patients across Greater Sydney and NSW to receive their surgery sooner at Northern Beaches Hospital. From 1 July 2026, the centre will start accepting patients waiting for surgeries
such as ophthalmology, orthopaedics, ear, nose and throat (ENT), general surgery and gynaecology. Health Minister Ryan Park said the hospital would “first and foremost’’ be for the people of the Northern Beaches. “I’m so pleased the state’s new High Volume Planned Surgery Centre will boost our health system’s surgery capacity to help patients receive the care they need more quickly,” he said. “This is a win for the Northern Beaches community and for patients right across NSW.”
Northern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the Greater Sydney and surrounds will benefit from the implementation of the hub. “Northern Beaches Hospital boasts world-class surgical facilities and a wealth of surgical expertise,” Anthony said “This planned surgery centre will not only benefit the community of the Northern Beaches but patients right across the state who will experience quicker access to elective surgery.”
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February 2026
Simon Hill Interim Chief Operating Officer
Meet Simon Hill, Interim Chief Operating Officer Northern Beaches Hospital has welcomed Simon Hill as interim chief operating officer, who brings more than 25 year’s experience across NSW Health to the role. Simon joins the hospital following his most recent position as general manager at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, as well as senior leadership roles across information and communications technology, redevelopment and transformation projects within Northern Sydney and Central Coast local health districts. Over recent months, Simon has also led the Northern Beaches Hospital transition work, giving him a strong understanding of the hospital, its people, and the journey ahead. As he steps into the role, Simon said he had already been impressed by the culture and commitment of teams across the hospital. “From my first days on site, I’ve been struck by the energy, professionalism and warmth of the teams here, and by the pride people have in the care they deliver,” he said. “It’s clear that Northern Beaches Hospital has a strong culture built on respect, collaboration and an unwavering focus on patients.” A Northern Beaches local, Simon said the hospital holds personal significance, alongside its important role in the community. Simon’s work in the months ahead will involve supporting stability, safe operations and continuity of care as the hospital continues through the transition process, while also protecting what already works well. Simon can be reached at simon.hill@ healthscope.com.au or 0414 381 546.
Expression of Interest – Allied Health and Nursing and Midwifery staff councils An opportunity is available for allied health, and nursing and midwifery staff to join the Allied Health Staff Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Staff Council of Northern Sydney Local Health District. These councils were established last year as part of the district’s commitment to clinical leadership and engagement. Under the district’s by-laws, it has long had a medical staff council that provides direct advice to the chief executive and NSLHD Board. The model has been expanded to ensure that nursing, midwifery, and allied health professionals also have a formal platform to contribute their expertise and insights at the highest levels of governance. Expressions of interest are now open for Northern Beaches Hospital staff to be appointed as observers to these councils. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape service improvements, contribute to planning and development, and ensure clinician voices are heard at the executive leadership level. The chairs of both councils hold observer status at NSLHD Board meetings, giving these staff a unique opportunity to observe the strategic management and leadership for the district. Expressions of interest close on Friday 13 February. Please send completed EOIs to Anthony.schembri@health.nsw.gov.au For any questions or discussions, please feel free to contact Julia Capper, Executive Director Allied Health – Julia.Capper@health.nsw.gov.au or Adjunct Professor Claire Harris, Executive Director Nursing & Midwifery, Claire.Harris@health.nsw.gov.au for further details. Together, we hope to strengthen the voice of our nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals as we continue to shape the future of healthcare at Northern Beaches Hospital and NSLHD.
Single Digital Patient Record is Coming Northern Beaches Hospital will be one of the first hospitals in NSW to have Single Digital Patient Record. The Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) is a transformational program thatwill change how people experience and deliver care across NSW. It will streamline access to clinical information and provide a comprehensive, single view of a patient’s care journey no matter where in the public health system they go to receive care. It will do this by integrating the current electronic medical records (eMR), laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and patient administration systems (PAS). Why do we need the SDPR? Clinical information is captured in many different systems across NSW Health. Often, these systems aren’t connected statewide and care teams struggle to access comprehensive patient information if a person is visiting multiple health services across the state. Data is routinely collected but is often unable to be shared or integrated in real time. Barriers to getting the right information at the right time is a major challenge in providing the best patient care possible. To solve these challenges, a single source of clinical information is needed. More information and a staff forum on SDPR will be provided in coming weeks. SDPR is expected to be rolled out in NSLHD, including Northern Beaches Hospital, in November. Why do we need the SDPR? Clinical information is captured in many different systems across NSW Health. Often, these systems aren’t connected statewide and care teams struggle to access comprehensive patient information if a person is visiting multiple health services across the state. Data is routinely collected but is often unable to be shared or integrated in real time. Barriers to getting the right information at the right time is a major challenge in providing the best patient care possible. To solve these challenges, a single source of clinical information is needed. What is the Single Digital Patient Record? The Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR) is a transformational program that will change how people experience and deliver care across NSW. It will streamline access to clinical information and provide a comprehensive, single view of a patient’s care journey no matter where in the public health system they go to receive care. It will do this by integrating the current electronic medical records (eMR), laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and patient administration systems (PAS).
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SDPR): Fact sheet
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Northern Sydney Local Health Level 14, Kolling Building, 10 Westbourne St, St Leonards NSW 2065 nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au
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