Northern Beaches Hospital medical director Louise Messara to leave her role

The medical director of Northern Beaches Hospital, Louise Messara will leave her role following a horror opening month at the new facility, rolling from one crisis to another.

Healthscope CEO Gordon Ballantyne, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, former Northern Beaches Hospital CEO Deborah Latta, surgeon Stuart Pincott and outgoing medical director Louise Messara. Picture: Adam Yip

• Northern Beaches Hospital CEO Deborah Latta quits
• Northern Beaches Hospital must be better, says Hazzard
• Hospital chiefs defend themselves over complaints

The medical director of Northern Beaches Hospital, Louise Messara will leave her role following a horror opening month at the new facility.

It follows the resignation of a second anaesthetist at the $600 million Frenchs Forest facility on Tuesday following a catalogue of concerns aired by medical staff.

Patients have complained about long waiting times, having to go without food for 24 hours and feeling sorry for stressed staff.

While staff have reported inadequate stock supplies, with time being lost searching for basics such as bandages or tissues, as well as confusion over how to work machinery and computers.

The hospital had a soft launch on October 30, with its official opening on November 19.

The hospital’s chief executive officer, Debora Latta resigned two days later.

Exterior of the Northern Beaches Hospital in Frenchs Forest. Picture: Julie Cross.

Her exit follows a unanimous vote of no confidence being passed by senior doctors at the $600 million hospital a fortnight ago.

The hospital’s operator, Healthscope released a statement on Tuesday morning which said: “Last night Healthscope senior executives met with Northern Beaches Hospital medical staff as part of our ongoing communication and engagement activities.

“During this meeting Healthscope reported that while Dr Louise Messara has always had, and

retains our full support, she has informed Healthscope that she believes continuing in the

role of Medical Director will only serve as an ongoing distraction to the overriding focus

which should be patient care.”

Northern Beaches Hospital from above, shortly as it nears completion. Picture: Nearmap

It is believed she will retain a role elsewhere with Healthscope - an ASX listed private hospital operator.

“Accordingly, and at Dr Messara’s request, we will be utilising her extensive experience to

contribute further to Healthscope’s vision to deliver market leading clinical outcomes and

patient care,” the statement said.

IN OTHER NEWS

“As a result, Healthscope has now commenced a process to identify a successor for the

Medical Director role at Northern Beaches Hospital.

“In the interim, Chief Medical Officer Victoria Atkinson will perform this role.”

A letter sent to staff from the former CEO Ms Latta said she had always intended to hand the job over to a new leader once the hospital as operational.