Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest is facing sharp criticism for leasing out one of its maternity wards to film and television crews rather than using it for expectant mothers.
Frustrated staff claim the decision prioritises profits over patient care at a time when the hospital is struggling with overcrowding and staff shortages.
In the first week of February, hospital management instructed staff to gather medical props for the production team behind Beast In Me. The new film stars Russell Crowe, Daniel MacPherson, Luke Hemsworth, and Amy Shark. The production company also requested security passes, access to hospital systems, and a floor plan of the ward, raising serious privacy and security concerns.
Concerns Over Privacy and Security
Although there is no indication of wrongdoing by the film company, Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes condemned the hospital’s decision.
Hayes pointed out that hospitals are under pressure to make more beds available, yet this facility has an unused ward. He emphasised that patient care should come first and “not to outsource to film crews to generate income.”
Maternity Ward Sits Unused While Demand Grows
A hospital worker, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the additional maternity ward has been closed since the hospital’s opening in 2018.
The main maternity ward is overcrowded, while the second ward remains mostly unused. Instead of serving patients, staff says it was used for film productions, causing disruptions and blocking access.
He then noted, “we’re not in the movie business, we’re in the health business.”
New Mother Frustrated by Understaffing
Amber Blair, who gave birth at Northern Beaches Hospital in July 2024, said her experience was positive overall. However, she acknowledged that the staff seemed overwhelmed that the extra maternity ward was being used for filming.
Blair said the maternity ward was “very busy” during her stay. She once waited around an hour for help feeding her newborn due to staff shortages.
She believes hospitals should prioritise patient care, especially in maternity wards, as “babies don’t always wait” for a bed to become available.
Hospital Faces Ongoing Scrutiny
Northern Beaches Hospital is operated by Healthscope under a public-private partnership (PPP). Since its opening in 2018, the hospital has been under scrutiny. The NSW Auditor-General is currently investigating whether it is delivering public hospital services efficiently, with a report due in June.
The doctors’ union, ASMOF, has also voiced concerns about staff and hospital bed shortages, warning that chronic overcrowding is impacting patient care.
Despite these challenges, the hospital recorded over 1,300 public births in the 2023-24 financial year. Data from July to September last year shows 343 babies were born at the hospital. A 5% increase from the previous year, while births at other public hospitals across the state declined by 1%.
With staff morale at an all-time low, hospital workers and unions are demanding greater transparency about hospital operations and an end to commercial use of hospital wards.
Published 14-Feb-2025
