Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, as we now know, Australia's second largest private hospital
operator is in administration after Lender's swooped to secure they're
one point four billion dollars in debt. So what we
also know is that that nurses, doctors, employees at all
of those private health hospitals covered bill. They're covered obviously
(00:20):
by private health, by that private health fund. Health Scope
obviously feeling pretty worried this morning. We have had assurances,
certainly health Scope has made assurances that they will indeed
continue to operate, but nonetheless there is a lot of
concern around the place this morning. And joining us on
the line to talk a little bit more about the
situation is the health Minister, the Northern Territory Health Minister,
(00:44):
Steve Edgington. Good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Listens.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Steve, tell us what is the situation from your perspective
at this point in time. I understand that there have
been briefings yesterday and a lot of people wondering this
morning what exactly is this going to mean for Darwin
private Hospital.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Well, at the moment, Katie, like everybody, I'm extremely disappointed,
frustrated around where things have ended up with Healthscope. We've
seen the pathway being advised late last year, final decisions
being made in February to cut out maternity, and here
we are today with the announcement yesterday of Healthscope essentially
(01:28):
going into part receivership, part administration. This is extremely disappointing
and I can understand the frustration of many territories this morning.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Absolutely so from a real operational perspective. What is this
going to mean? Minister? They are saying that they're going
to continue to operate, but I know that there's already
been concerns raised by the likes of the AMA that
we could see surgeries delay, we could see all sorts
of changes as a result of this.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Look when it was raised with me, it was flagged
on Friday. I've spoken now directly with Healthscope and very
similar to their media release, they've given me the reassurance
that it's business as usual. And you know when they
say that it's business as usual, what they're saying is
that there will be no change when it comes to
(02:17):
their normal program of surgery and delivering those private services.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Do you trust them? Do you trust the Minister?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Well, look, this is I can only take it on
the word that I got from the Healthscope official that
I spoke to. They've publicly put out a media release.
I sought that reassurance and that's what I've been told.
But look, I'm as concerned as everybody else. But what
I've got at the moment is Healthscope telling us and
certainly through the not only the media release but the
(02:48):
announcement from the administrator and the receivers, it does look
like business as usual. But look, I'm very concerned and
given the state of things right across Australia, it's effect
in thirty seven hospitals across Australia and no doubt all
of the staff are particularly worried. So I think the
best outcome would be what I'd like to see as
(03:11):
a new provider come in, take over and start delivering
the services at territories expect.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Have you had discussions at this point in time with
the Federal Health Minister. I know that you know health
Scope saying that things are going to operate as usual,
but I would think that health ministers from right around Australia,
yourself included, and indeed the Federal Health Minister, must be
wondering if this is indeed going to have an impact
on our public health system.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
That's exactly the question that's before everybody at the moment.
Cadie so today and I spoke with Minister Butler yesterday
to talk to him about the announcement around Healthscope. He's
had the very same information and during our conversation he
reassured me that his conversations have been the same as mine,
that it is business as usual today all health ministers
(04:02):
from around the country will be meeting with our federal
minister to talk about this very issue. So we'll be
meeting I think just after midday, and because this is
the agenda item, we want to get to the bottom
of it. But what we want to do is make
sure that you know my focus. My focus for the
Territorians is that I want to ensure that Territorians have
(04:24):
a private model here so that they have a choice
on where they would like to go for their medical
and health service. I mean that means that means having
a private provider here in the territory.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Does there also need to be a discussion, Like absolutely
that needs to happen, but does there also need to
be a discussion about who that private provider is? I mean,
we may indeed wind up again with some you know,
with a company or with a multinational that's based in
another country and that really you know, is all about
profit rather than making sure that they're providing that service.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Look, I've got no doubt this will be part of
our discuss today is that what we want to ensure
moving forward is that we have a private provider that
is going to be here for the long term and
providing the very best possible health services for Territorians. So
this will be no doubt a feature of our discussion today.
But look, I'm of the very same opinion that we
(05:19):
need to be very mindful if there is a change
in provider, we want to make sure that that provider
is here for the long term and providing the very
best services for Territorians. And that's where I'm coming from
in today's meeting.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
So a meeting today with all of the health ministers
and indeed the federal Health Minister in terms of you know,
the what ifs, and I know that ministers never like
to sort of delve into those what is but what
happens if the hospital does fall over? I mean, are
there some plans in place? Are you going to be
ramping up services within the Northern territories public hospitals if
(05:56):
we do start to see maybe not the hospital fall
over in time, but a cutting back of some of
the services which they previously delivered.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Look, it's a good question. We've certainly had discussions, and
I've had those conversations with the chief executive in Nptyhealth.
We do need to plan for the worst. But at
this stage, the information we have in front of us
is that it will be business as usual. And yes,
should it fall over all together, then it's going to
put enormous pressure on the territory health system. So we
(06:26):
are certainly mindful of that. We are looking at what
contingencies we can put in place. But at the moment,
we have information in front of us, and you know,
I'll be holding Healthscope to that agreement. They said that
we'll be services delivery and at this stage there's nothing
to indicate otherwise.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
I mean, how can we hold them to it? Though?
If the fact is, I suppose if they're going, if
they're not able to operate, or if they get to
a point where they're not able to is there a
situation where a government or the federal government can actually
force them to.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Look, I'm not aware of the particulars around that. But
all of these issues, Katie, will be discussed today and
we'll be in a stronger position after we've met. As
ministers from around the country meet with the federal minister.
We'll be talking about a range of issues and no
doubt to contingencies. What can be done, what can't be done.
That'll be the point of discussion today.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Minister. Last time you and I spoke, I know that
you had certainly like we've spoken quite extensively about maternity
services at the Darwin Private Hospital. Obviously this situation is
bigger now, but at that time you've written to the
Federal Health Minister. Luke Gosling, the Member for Solomon, then
told us the proposal that you'd sent to the Federal
Health Minister really wasn't up to scratch. I mean they're
(07:45):
hit like that was his words.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Not mine.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Where are things at now though, with this situation with
the maternity services in terms of the funding requests that
you had put in.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Yeah, look, look I don't give much credibility to Luke Gosling.
You know, this is the guy that has sat on
the sidelines for the last few months and raised nothing
about Hellscope at all. He even told us at one
stage he was going to be a minister, he was
going to buy the portback, he was going to delivererality.
So I don't give the guy much credibility. But those
(08:18):
conversations regarding the thirty five million are ongoing. And as
I said, the thirty five million dollars that we're looking
for is to improve the infrastructure at the Royal Darlin Hospital.
This is a long term plan and we're hoping that
that thirty five million will be forthcoming. But so that
(08:39):
conversation is an ongoing conversation between myself and the minister,
but also we're at department level. Those conversations have been
going on at department level for some time now.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Now I know there has been a few barbs thrown,
of course between well the Member for Solomon Luke Gosling
and the COLP government. You know you've just thrown a
few yourself then as well. The fact is I guess
that territorians are going to need you all to work
together for the best for the Northern territory. Are you
confident that you're going to be able to do that?
Speaker 2 (09:10):
I'm very confident. Look, I've had some good constructive conversations
with the Minister Butler, and we have worked together prior
to the election, and I'm looking forward to prior to
the federal election, I should say so, I'm looking forward
to continuing that relationship and I'm sure that by working
together with Minister Butler, we will get good outcomes for Territorians.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Well Health, Minister Steve Edgington, we will leave it there.
It sounds like you've got a busy day ahead of you,
but at this point in time, I mean just final
message for Territorians who've got private health this morning, who
are feeling really worried. They may be booked in for
surgery over the coming weeks, they may not be, but
there may be another service that they're going to need
through their private health. What is your message to them
(09:53):
this morning, because I know people are feeling really very
worried about this whole situation.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Look, my message is stay positive. I'm doing everything that
I possibly can to ensure that Healthscope is maintaining their service.
I think the best outcome we can look for is
a new provider coming in, but we'll certainly be making
sure to the very best of our ability that Healthscope
will continue to deliver the services right up until a
(10:20):
new provider comes in.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Health Minister Steve Edgington, good to speak with you this morning.
I appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Thank you, and good morning to everybody.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Thank you,
Well, as we now know, Australia's second largest private hospital
operator is in administration after Lender's swooped to secure they're
one point four billion dollars in debt. So what we
also know is that that nurses, doctors, employees at all
of those private health hospitals covered bill. They're covered obviously
(00:20):
by private health, by that private health fund. Health Scope
obviously feeling pretty worried this morning. We have had assurances,
certainly health Scope has made assurances that they will indeed
continue to operate, but nonetheless there is a lot of
concern around the place this morning. And joining us on
the line to talk a little bit more about the
situation is the health Minister, the Northern Territory Health Minister,
(00:44):
Steve Edgington. Good morning to you.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Listens.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Steve, tell us what is the situation from your perspective
at this point in time. I understand that there have
been briefings yesterday and a lot of people wondering this
morning what exactly is this going to mean for Darwin
private Hospital.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Well, at the moment, Katie, like everybody, I'm extremely disappointed,
frustrated around where things have ended up with Healthscope. We've
seen the pathway being advised late last year, final decisions
being made in February to cut out maternity, and here
we are today with the announcement yesterday of Healthscope essentially
(01:28):
going into part receivership, part administration. This is extremely disappointing
and I can understand the frustration of many territories this morning.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
Absolutely so from a real operational perspective. What is this
going to mean? Minister? They are saying that they're going
to continue to operate, but I know that there's already
been concerns raised by the likes of the AMA that
we could see surgeries delay, we could see all sorts
of changes as a result of this.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Look when it was raised with me, it was flagged
on Friday. I've spoken now directly with Healthscope and very
similar to their media release, they've given me the reassurance
that it's business as usual. And you know when they
say that it's business as usual, what they're saying is
that there will be no change when it comes to
(02:17):
their normal program of surgery and delivering those private services.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Do you trust them? Do you trust the Minister?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Well, look, this is I can only take it on
the word that I got from the Healthscope official that
I spoke to. They've publicly put out a media release.
I sought that reassurance and that's what I've been told.
But look, I'm as concerned as everybody else. But what
I've got at the moment is Healthscope telling us and
certainly through the not only the media release but the
(02:48):
announcement from the administrator and the receivers, it does look
like business as usual. But look, I'm very concerned and
given the state of things right across Australia, it's effect
in thirty seven hospitals across Australia and no doubt all
of the staff are particularly worried. So I think the
best outcome would be what I'd like to see as
(03:11):
a new provider come in, take over and start delivering
the services at territories expect.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Have you had discussions at this point in time with
the Federal Health Minister. I know that you know health
Scope saying that things are going to operate as usual,
but I would think that health ministers from right around Australia,
yourself included, and indeed the Federal Health Minister, must be
wondering if this is indeed going to have an impact
on our public health system.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
That's exactly the question that's before everybody at the moment.
Cadie so today and I spoke with Minister Butler yesterday
to talk to him about the announcement around Healthscope. He's
had the very same information and during our conversation he
reassured me that his conversations have been the same as mine,
that it is business as usual today all health ministers
(04:02):
from around the country will be meeting with our federal
minister to talk about this very issue. So we'll be
meeting I think just after midday, and because this is
the agenda item, we want to get to the bottom
of it. But what we want to do is make
sure that you know my focus. My focus for the
Territorians is that I want to ensure that Territorians have
(04:24):
a private model here so that they have a choice
on where they would like to go for their medical
and health service. I mean that means that means having
a private provider here in the territory.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Does there also need to be a discussion, Like absolutely
that needs to happen, but does there also need to
be a discussion about who that private provider is? I mean,
we may indeed wind up again with some you know,
with a company or with a multinational that's based in
another country and that really you know, is all about
profit rather than making sure that they're providing that service.
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Look, I've got no doubt this will be part of
our discuss today is that what we want to ensure
moving forward is that we have a private provider that
is going to be here for the long term and
providing the very best possible health services for Territorians. So
this will be no doubt a feature of our discussion today.
But look, I'm of the very same opinion that we
(05:19):
need to be very mindful if there is a change
in provider, we want to make sure that that provider
is here for the long term and providing the very
best services for Territorians. And that's where I'm coming from
in today's meeting.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
So a meeting today with all of the health ministers
and indeed the federal Health Minister in terms of you know,
the what ifs, and I know that ministers never like
to sort of delve into those what is but what
happens if the hospital does fall over? I mean, are
there some plans in place? Are you going to be
ramping up services within the Northern territories public hospitals if
(05:56):
we do start to see maybe not the hospital fall
over in time, but a cutting back of some of
the services which they previously delivered.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Look, it's a good question. We've certainly had discussions, and
I've had those conversations with the chief executive in Nptyhealth.
We do need to plan for the worst. But at
this stage, the information we have in front of us
is that it will be business as usual. And yes,
should it fall over all together, then it's going to
put enormous pressure on the territory health system. So we
(06:26):
are certainly mindful of that. We are looking at what
contingencies we can put in place. But at the moment,
we have information in front of us, and you know,
I'll be holding Healthscope to that agreement. They said that
we'll be services delivery and at this stage there's nothing
to indicate otherwise.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
I mean, how can we hold them to it? Though?
If the fact is, I suppose if they're going, if
they're not able to operate, or if they get to
a point where they're not able to is there a
situation where a government or the federal government can actually
force them to.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Look, I'm not aware of the particulars around that. But
all of these issues, Katie, will be discussed today and
we'll be in a stronger position after we've met. As
ministers from around the country meet with the federal minister.
We'll be talking about a range of issues and no
doubt to contingencies. What can be done, what can't be done.
That'll be the point of discussion today.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
Minister. Last time you and I spoke, I know that
you had certainly like we've spoken quite extensively about maternity
services at the Darwin Private Hospital. Obviously this situation is
bigger now, but at that time you've written to the
Federal Health Minister. Luke Gosling, the Member for Solomon, then
told us the proposal that you'd sent to the Federal
Health Minister really wasn't up to scratch. I mean they're
(07:45):
hit like that was his words.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Not mine.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Where are things at now though, with this situation with
the maternity services in terms of the funding requests that
you had put in.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Yeah, look, look I don't give much credibility to Luke Gosling.
You know, this is the guy that has sat on
the sidelines for the last few months and raised nothing
about Hellscope at all. He even told us at one
stage he was going to be a minister, he was
going to buy the portback, he was going to delivererality.
So I don't give the guy much credibility. But those
(08:18):
conversations regarding the thirty five million are ongoing. And as
I said, the thirty five million dollars that we're looking
for is to improve the infrastructure at the Royal Darlin Hospital.
This is a long term plan and we're hoping that
that thirty five million will be forthcoming. But so that
(08:39):
conversation is an ongoing conversation between myself and the minister,
but also we're at department level. Those conversations have been
going on at department level for some time now.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Now I know there has been a few barbs thrown,
of course between well the Member for Solomon Luke Gosling
and the COLP government. You know you've just thrown a
few yourself then as well. The fact is I guess
that territorians are going to need you all to work
together for the best for the Northern territory. Are you
confident that you're going to be able to do that?
Speaker 2 (09:10):
I'm very confident. Look, I've had some good constructive conversations
with the Minister Butler, and we have worked together prior
to the election, and I'm looking forward to prior to
the federal election, I should say so, I'm looking forward
to continuing that relationship and I'm sure that by working
together with Minister Butler, we will get good outcomes for Territorians.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Well Health, Minister Steve Edgington, we will leave it there.
It sounds like you've got a busy day ahead of you,
but at this point in time, I mean just final
message for Territorians who've got private health this morning, who
are feeling really worried. They may be booked in for
surgery over the coming weeks, they may not be, but
there may be another service that they're going to need
through their private health. What is your message to them
(09:53):
this morning, because I know people are feeling really very
worried about this whole situation.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
Look, my message is stay positive. I'm doing everything that
I possibly can to ensure that Healthscope is maintaining their service.
I think the best outcome we can look for is
a new provider coming in, but we'll certainly be making
sure to the very best of our ability that Healthscope
will continue to deliver the services right up until a
(10:20):
new provider comes in.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Health Minister Steve Edgington, good to speak with you this morning.
I appreciate your time.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Thank you, and good morning to everybody.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Thank you,
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