Ramsay Nurse Liaison Program Raises Concerns Over Patient Choice

A private hospital operator has been granted access to a public emergency department to identify and transfer privately insured patients, sparking debate about patient pressure and market fairness.

Program Overview

Ramsay Health Care has been granted access to the emergency department (ED) at Sunshine Coast University Hospital under a pilot program. A Ramsay-employed nurse, placed in the public ED, identifies privately insured patients and facilitates their transfer to one of three nearby Ramsay hospitals.

The program, named the Emergency Department Nurse Liaison (EDNL) program, aims to reduce pressure on the public ED. Over 2,000 patients have been transferred in the first 12 months of the trial.

Ramsay has confirmed it has created a similar nurse liaison role at Northern Private Hospital in Melbourne and is coordinating the introduction of similar roles at other hospitals nationally. The company reported a half-year net profit of $160.7 million.

Key Details

• Ramsay-employed nurse placed in Sunshine Coast University Hospital public ED
• Nurse facilitates transfer of privately insured patients to Ramsay hospitals
• Program aims to ease public hospital ED crowding
• Other private hospitals, such as Buderim Private Hospital (operated by UnitingCare), declined participation
• Transfers include medical, cardiac, and surgical patients

Stakeholder Concerns

Health Consumers Queensland CEO Keith Tracey-Patte expressed concern that the trial could lead to "cherrypicking" of high-volume, low-cost patients for private sector treatment. He stressed that decisions must be unpressured and called for evaluation of which patient cohorts were more likely to transfer.

Health Economics Research Centre director Henry Cutler noted the scheme is not anti-competitive if other hospital operators are also allowed to place a nurse. He stated patients should be informed of all options: free public treatment, private patient in public, or transfer to private hospitals other than Ramsay.

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Erica Gannon acknowledged merit if clinically sound and transparent. She warned that private health insurance may not cover emergency department visits if the patient is not admitted, potentially leading to out-of-pocket fees.

Official Statements

Ramsay Health Care spokesperson described the program as an example of public-private collaboration to improve patient outcomes and relieve ED pressure.

Sunshine Coast Health spokesperson stated that patients are asked during triage if they have private insurance and if they would like private care. The Ramsay nurse then facilitates transfer. This process was introduced in May 2025 and has improved efficiency.

Background Context

• Ramsay Health Care is a publicly listed company
• The program is a trial intended for national rollout
• The ABC reported that the trial has caused dissatisfaction among public hospital surgeons who lost private patients they would have operated on
• A former Bupa executive accused health insurers of using "almost bullying" tactics in negotiations