Northern Beaches Hospital Archives

Dee Why Residents Get a New Bulk-Billed Urgent Care Option Close to Home

In Dee Why, the next painful sprain, sudden fever or nasty cut no longer has to default to an emergency department trip, with a nearby Medicare Urgent Care Clinic set up to handle urgent problems that aren’t life-threatening and to keep locals moving through care sooner.

The Australian Government published the announcement about the Chatswood and Dee Why Medicare Urgent Care Clinics on 17 January 2026, naming the Dee Why service location as 10 Dale Street, Brookvale, with extended hours seven days a week, no booking needed and all care bulk billed.

For Dee Why residents, the main change is having a practical, local alternative when the issue feels urgent but does not require an ambulance. The clinic is designed to sit between a regular GP visit and a hospital emergency department, giving people a place to be seen promptly for common problems such as minor injuries and short-notice illness.

Where People Will Actually Go

Sydney North Health Network’s listing for the Dee Why Urgent Care Clinic places it at 10 Dale Street, Brookvale NSW 2100 and describes it as bulk billed with walk-in access, and includes a clinic phone number plus an Urgent Care Triage Line for advice before heading in.

The operator’s public information page says the service is based within the Warringah Medical & Dental Centre and advertises daily opening hours from 8am to 8pm, reinforcing the “no appointment” model for non-life-threatening conditions.

Why Health Services Want People to Use this Service

Health messaging around the urgent care clinic network focuses on reducing low-acuity emergency presentations so hospital teams can concentrate on severe cases.

A Prime Minister’s Office release from December 2025 cites NSW Bureau of Health data showing semi-urgent emergency presentations down 5.1 per cent and non-urgent presentations down 8.7 per cent across NSW, presenting this as evidence that urgent care clinics are diverting appropriate patients away from emergency departments.

The clinic’s opening frames the Dee Why clinic as part of easing demand pressures tied to Northern Beaches Hospital by redirecting cases that do not require emergency-level resources. The impact is intended to be fewer hours spent waiting in hospital corridors for issues that can be treated safely in a dedicated urgent care setting, particularly on weekends and after hours.

Published 22-Jan-2026

Dee Why Medicare Urgent Care Clinic

Calls Mount for State Control of Northern Beaches Hospital

Photo Credit: Pexels

A public forum in Dee Why has intensified calls for the State to take control of Northern Beaches Hospital after its operator’s parent company entered receivership.

Background and Ownership Issues

The parent company of Healthscope, the private operator of Northern Beaches Hospital, has entered receivership following the withdrawal of support from lenders. Healthscope, which operates 37 hospitals across Australia, remains functional, with management confirming that operations, staff, and patient care continue without disruption.

Healthscope’s parent company, formerly controlled by Brookfield, failed to manage its $1.4 to $1.6 billion debt load, leading to receivership under McGrathNicol. A $100 million funding facility has been secured from the Commonwealth Bank to support ongoing operations.

Dee Why hospital issue — *Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only*
*Photo Credit: Pexels*

Dee Why Forum Highlights Community Pressure

At a recent community forum held at Dee Why RSL, attended by NSW Health Minister Ryan Park and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, the issue of hospital ownership took centre stage. The forum, organised by local officials Jacqui Scruby and Michael Regan, followed growing concern over the hospital’s performance under the public-private partnership.

The forum also featured families impacted by incidents at Northern Beaches Hospital, including those of a toddler who died following an emergency department visit in 2023. The case was among several prompting an independent audit and a government taskforce to review the hospital’s management model.

Operational and Financial Clarity

Healthscope clarified that the receivership applies only to its parent company, not the hospital-operating entities. All 37 facilities, including Northern Beaches Hospital in Frenchs Forest, are continuing normal services, with no changes to staffing or patient care.

The NSW Government confirmed it has contingency plans in place, including deploying a NSW Health executive team if required. Healthscope holds $110 million in cash and the additional Commonwealth Bank credit line to ensure continued hospital operations.

Northern Beaches Hospital — *Photo Credit: Stephen Wong/Google Maps*

Public Ownership Proposal

State and federal representatives have voiced support for public ownership. Healthscope has already offered to hand back the public portion of Northern Beaches Hospital, which it operates under contract until 2038. The private portion remains under contract until 2058.

While Mr Park acknowledged the complexity of such a takeover, local officials continue to urge the government to acquire both components. A voluntary contract termination bill has been proposed to bypass compensation payments, which have been cited as a barrier.

Community Sentiment in Dee Why

Residents and health professionals attending the Dee Why forum expressed frustration over ongoing uncertainty. Concerns were raised about understaffing, resource limitations, and the risks of relying on private equity to manage essential public services.

Speakers called for full public acquisition, increased investment, and improved hospital management to restore public confidence.

Next Steps

McGrathNicol has confirmed it intends to sell the hospital operations as a going concern and will engage with stakeholders to ensure continuity. The NSW Government has not yet committed to purchasing the entire hospital.

Public discussion, particularly in Dee Why, remains focused on the future of hospital services and whether the current ownership model is sustainable.

Published 28-May-2025

Dee Why RSL Funds Northern Beaches Wig Library for Cancer Patients

Did you know that a wig library for cancer patients has opened at Northern Beaches Cancer Care? The free service has been made possible with the help of the Dee Why RSL.

The new wig library, which opened in June 2021, has an initial 100 wigs bought with the $25,000 funding delivered by members of the Dee Why RSL in collaboration with the Northern Beaches Community Cancer Charity. The group was approached by the Cancer Council NSW to assist with the project for the Oncology and Infusion Centre, which sees around 60 patients every week.

“We have all been affected by cancer in some way – whether it be personally, through friends, family or even the media – and the Wig Library initiative deeply moved the Board and Executive Management Team,” the group stated. “We were very honoured to be able to assist in some small way and through the support of our members, were able to donate $25,000 towards this initiative.”

The Northern Beaches Cancer Care has volunteers who will help cancer patients pick out the right wig and dispense other grooming and care tips to make them feel better about wearing the accessory. These volunteers have undergone training with Cancer Council NSW’s Look Good Feel Better program.

Previously, cancer patients at the centre didn’t have a place to fit the wig given at the hospital. They also didn’t have an expert guide to tell them which wig will look better on their face and complexion.

One cancer patient in remission was emotional when she saw the wig library. She said that wearing a wig and knowing how to groom and beautify herself has been a life-changing experience. It also made her feel normal again after weathering through a series of treatments.

Another woman who has been getting her weekly treatment lauded this initiative to provide cancer patients access to beautiful hairpieces. Unknown to many, good, natural-looking wigs are quite expensive and hair loss can be a devastating experience for a lot of cancer patients.

Dee Why Woman Reaping Benefits of New Cancer Drugs

A Dee Why local with stage four ovarian cancer has been reaping the benefits of new cancer drugs that could improve her survival rate.

Michelle Cole, the 52-year-old bus driver, has been seeing oncologist Dr Antonia Pearson at the Northern Beaches Hospital, who put her on Bevacizumab and PARP inhibitor on the very first day the Australian government made these treatments available via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Bevacizumab is a “tumour-starving drug” known by the brand name Avastin. The patient is also taking Caelyx, a life-prolonging chemotherapy medication.

*Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Hospital/Google Maps*

Dr Pearson said that these new cancer drugs, which have been on the market since late 2020, are helping Ms Cole live a more normal life despite her advanced condition. Since being on the treatment, the Dee Why local, who is married to Kym Weekes, could still continue driving her bus routes for at least two hours or do the things she loves, like watching the games at the Beacon Hill Football Club where she used to play.

Ms Cole learned of her cancer in 2015 received treatment at the Manly Hospital. However, after a period of remission, her cancer came back in 2019 and it has spread to other parts of her body.

According to Dr Pearson, ovarian cancer is one of the trickiest diseases to diagnose since the symptoms are common to most women, such as bloating, abdominal discomforts, and always feeling tired. However, these new therapies are extending the life of the patients, especially if they regularly work with their oncologist.

Both doctor and patient recommend that women should get tested for tumour markers earlier for better chances of prolonging their life.