16 News

Over-the-bed critical care cameras which provide real-time images of seriously ill babies and children are being installed at Northern Beaches Hospital following the Clinical Excellence Commission’s Independent Inquiry into the hospital’s emergency department, which identified the absence of this technology as a serious concern.

The Inquiry, commissioned by the Secretary of NSW Health was released earlier this month.

The Minister for Health, Ryan Park, today announced the cameras were undergoing testing and were expected to be switched on within a matter of weeks.

Specialist camera units are being installed in the emergency department, paediatric ward and special care nursery.

The cameras allow for a clinician to contact the Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS) to connect them with specialists from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, when a child is critically ill or facing an emergency.

Previously, Northern Beaches Hospital did not have a connection to NSW Health’s data network which would have enabled the video camera connection.

Clinicians would communicate with NETS via phone when seeking clinical advice in a neonatal or paediatric emergency.

Discussions between the Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce, Healthscope and its receivers remain ongoing.

It remains the preference of the NSW Government that a negotiated agreement on the future control and operation of the Northern Beaches Hospital can be achieved.

NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“One of the great benefits of these cameras is that when in use the NETS clinicians can become very involved in the care often acting as another pair of eyes.

“The cameras are controlled at the NETS end so they can zoom in and look closely at the patient, or at the monitoring equipment to watch real time changes as they occur.

“These cameras are vital in providing specialist advice to clinicians on the ground dealing with a paediatric emergency.

“I hope this will provide some reassurance to the Northern Beaches community in light of the tragic death of Joe Massa.

“I would like to thank Joe’s parents, Elouise and Danny Massa, who have advocated tirelessly on behalf of the community for improvements to be made at Northern Beaches Hospital.

“Today, I am pleased to say that as a result of NSW Health’s work with Healthscope, the operator of Northern Beaches Hospital, these cameras are now being installed.”
 

Commissioner Karen Webb will be farewelled at Goulburn today after an extraordinary 38-year career with the NSW Police Force.  

On behalf of the NSW Government, I thank her for her decades of self-sacrifice and service to the people of this state.

Commissioner Webb has been a force for change, achieving landmark reform that will leave a lasting legacy on the NSW Police Force. 

Joining the NSWPF in May 1987, she has held every rank in the NSWPF, working across General Duties and Specialist Commands in both metro and regional NSW.  

Under her leadership, we have introduced significant recruitment and retention measures including delivering a once-in-a-generation pay rise for police, paying recruits to train and establishing pathways for regional recruits to return to the bush and experienced officers to transfer from interstate and New Zealand to the NSWPF.

Commissioner Webb’s commitment to tackling one of society’s most shameful crimes – domestic and family violence – is to be commended. 

Under her command, the NSWPF now have the only Domestic and Family Violence Registry in Australia, a Domestic Violence Liaison officer in every Police Area Command and District, the strongest cooperation with WDVCAS workers in our buildings and so much more. 

Her achievements are an enduring legacy for how NSW Police will deal with domestic violence for decades to come

Commissioner Webb’s drive to modernise the force for the 21st century will have a lasting impact on our police and community. 

At today’s Attestation Parade for new recruits in Goulburn the Commissioner will ‘march off’ the parade ground a little over 38 years after she herself attested on the same ground. 

It is fitting she does so with her head held high as we welcome the largest class of recruits in more than a decade to the force – a result of her reforms to police recruitment and retention.

Commissioner Webb has a great deal to be proud of in her long and exemplary police career.  We all owe her a huge debt of gratitude.

Congratulations Commissioner Webb.

314 police recruits – the largest class in 13 years – will be sworn into the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) today – bolstering frontline policing right across the state.

The Minns Labor Government will officially welcome Class 366 to the NSWPF this morning as they attest at the Goulburn Police Academy.

Today’s record-breaking class is clear proof that the Minns Labor Government’s reforms to police pay, and recruitment are working.

While there is more to do, these results show we are making inroads to turning around recruitment and rebuilding the NSWPF after 12 years of the Liberals unfair wages cap.

The new officers will be deployed to 57 Police Area Commands and Police Districts across the state, strengthening the NSWPF’s capability to fight crime and keep our communities safe.

Class 366 is made up of 221 men and 93 women (aged between 19 and 59). The cohort also includes 18 First Nations officers and officers who were born in 18 different countries.

The recruits will now begin 12 months of on-the-job training and will be deployed across:

• Central Metropolitan Region – 69
• Northern Region – 67
• North West Metropolitan Region – 63
• South West Metropolitan Region – 64
• Southern Region – 29
• Western Region – 22

13 recruits are taking advantage of the Minns Labor Government’s Be A Cop In Your Hometown program – electing to serve in or near their hometown after attesting.

This cohort is returning to the Mid North Coast PD, Coffs/Clarence PD, Oxley PD, Hunter Valley PD, Riverina PD and Murray River PD.

Strong local policing is particularly important in regional and rural NSW, where officers are trusted community figures and often the first point of support in times of crisis.

Class 366 has completed eight months of training (four months via distance education and four months of in-person training at Goulburn) and will now begin 12 months of on the job training as Probationary Constables.

The former Liberal-National Government had no plan for police recruitment, no plan for police retention and sent wages backwards for more than a decade. Thousands of experienced officers left the force as a result.

We are working hard to rebuild the NSWPF and create safer communities. While there is more to do, that work includes:

• Delivering a once-in-a-generation pay rise for police officers
• Establishing an historic scheme to pay recruits to train, resulting in a 72% increase in applications to join the NSWPF
• Establishing the Be a Cop In Your Hometown program
• Establishing the Professional Mobility Program to incentivise experienced officers from interstate and New Zealand to join the NSWPF

Premier Chris Minns said:

“A massive congratulations to class 366, and welcome to the NSW Police Force.

“On behalf of the people of NSW, I thank you for putting your hand up to serve and protect our communities.

“Policing is a tough and demanding profession, but it also offers extraordinary opportunities for a rewarding career.

“This record class shows our reforms are working – paying recruits to study, delivering a historic pay rise, and opening new pathways to serve regional NSW.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“Every single one of these new recruits has shown a steadfast commitment to make our state a safer place. I wish them all a long, rich and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force.

“These recruits are going to where they’re needed most and are ready to hit the ground running and make a real difference in their communities.

“For many attesting today, becoming a police officer wouldn’t be possible without paid study. This historic reform is attracting not only more recruits, but a more diverse cohort with significant life experience – NSW is all the richer for it.

“The Minns Labor Government is working hard to get more boots on the ground. While there’s more to do, we have secured better pay, are paying recruits to train and have set up pathways for regional recruits to serve in or near their hometown and experienced officers to transfer to NSW.

“Class 366 is the largest class in 13 years, the class before this was the largest class in 11. That’s down to the leadership of Commissioner Webb and the landmark initiatives she’s helped us achieve.”

Acting Commissioner Paul Pisanos said:

“As we welcome a new generation of officers into the NSW Police Force, today is a day to mark the significant contribution Commissioner Webb has had on our organisation.

“We thank Commissioner Webb for her incredible commitment to serve the community, and the NSW Police Force.

“Commissioner Webb as the first female Police Commissioner, shattered barriers and blazed a trail of progress, paving the way for future generations and inspiring probationary constables to believe in their potential.”

Senior police will plunge into icy ocean water in Newcastle today to raise money for a good cause.

The Polar Plunge sees participants enter the water at 19 locations across Australia between Saturday 19 July 2025 to Saturday 30 August 2025, with eight of these taking place at various locations across NSW.

Law Enforcement Torch Run is a charity made of up of NSW Police Force and other law enforcement agencies, and it coordinates events – including the Polar Plunge – to raise money for the athletes of Special Olympics Australia.

One of the plunges will be held at Merewether Ocean Baths this morning (Sunday 24 August 2025). The event starts with a brief torch run and opening ceremony at 10am, following by the plunge at 10.15am.

Participants from the NSW Police Force, emergency services, community and justice agencies, Special Olympics Clubs, individuals, and corporate partners will take the plunge.

Northern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Waddell APM, will be jumping into the cold water at Merewether for the important cause.

“For over 20 years we’ve supported the Law Enforcement Torch Run NSW to raise awareness of the great work done by Special Olympics Australia,” Assistant Commissioner Waddell said.

“We are proud to be taking the plunge and to show our support for Special Olympics Australia who bring sport, joy and inclusion to people with intellectual disability and autism.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, the Hon Yasmin Catley MP, will also be taking the plunge.

“There’s no better example of the Australian spirit than a day like today, with the community coming together for the Polar Plunge,” Minister Catley said.

“The NSW Government is proud to support our police, whose selflessness is at the heart of everything they do – qualities that shine through in their support for Special Olympics Australia.

“A big thank you to everyone who made this event possible and brought it to Newcastle – and best of luck to all the participants taking the plunge!”