Representatives of Healthscope, which operates Northern Beaches Hospital under a controversial public-private partnership, were called to give evidence following the death of two-year-old Joe Massa in September.
An internal investigation into Joe’s death found serious individual and systemic failures in the hospital’s management of his rapidly deteriorating condition.
Danny and Elouise, the parents of Joe Massa, at the Thursday hearing.Credit: Edwina Pickles
During the hearing, Thomas said Joe should have received intravenous (IV) fluid when repeatedly requested by his mother.
Outgoing chief executive Greg Horan confirmed the hospital would undertake an independent review of the emergency department’s broader performance.
Horan accepted there had been a loss of confidence in the hospital following Joe’s death, and extended his condolences to his parents Elouise and Danny, who appeared in the public gallery.
“I cannot imagine the grief you are going through right now,” he said. “I’m also sitting here accountable for what happened at Northern Beaches and making sure the actions going forward … make sure that we take the lessons out of this tragic incident.”
Tino La Spina, who appeared alongside Horan at the hearing, will step into the chief executive role at Healthscope from next month.
In a statement, the Massa family said it was “heartbreaking” to hear Healthscope’s evidence, some of which conflicted with their own recollection of events.
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