The NSW Parliament is set to investigate the quality of care at Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney following the heartbreaking death of a toddler, Joe Massa, who was treated there. Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed the inquiry on 2GB radio this morning, assuring Joe’s parents, Danny and Elouise Massa, that the government is committed to understanding the circumstances surrounding their child’s death to prevent future tragedies.
Minister Park has requested the NSW Public Accounts Committee to conduct a thorough parliamentary inquiry that will trace back to October 2018, when the hospital began its operations as a private facility managed by Healthscope. The inquiry will delve into various incidents within the hospital, particularly those flagged as serious adverse events, to examine how the hospital has handled these situations.
Additionally, the inquiry will investigate the hospital’s caregiver escalation protocols, specifically the Recognise, Engage, Act, Call – Help is on its way (REACH) protocol, which has been deemed insufficient in Joe’s case. The committee will critically assess the hospital’s operational systems, processes, and staff standards.
This inquiry follows a previous investigation in 2019 that examined the hospital’s management and operational issues. Last month, a hearing was conducted regarding Joe’s tragic death, during which the CEO of Healthscope expressed remorse to the Massa family.
The Massa family is advocating for the establishment of “Joe’s Rule,” aimed at ensuring parents have an authoritative voice during their children’s medical care. They are also calling for the termination of the public-private partnership model at Northern Beaches Hospital. Once implemented, Joe’s Rule is intended to be established across emergency departments in New South Wales.
In parallel, the NSW Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the child’s death and will compile a report for the coroner.