What Joe’s Law means for patients and families

A change driven by one family’s determination

On 29 April 2026, Northern Beaches Hospital officially returned to public hands after eight years under a public‑private partnership. For many in the community, this is more than an administrative change. It’s a moment shaped by lived experience, and by a family who refused to let their child’s death be ignored.

In September 2024, two‑year‑old Joe Massa died after waiting three hours in the hospital’s emergency department. His death should never have happened.

How did Joe’s Law come into effect in NSW?

After the death of their son Joe at Northern Beaches Hospital, Elouise and Danny Massa chose to focus on systemic reform rather than individual legal action. Their advocacy became a powerful catalyst for public debate about the role of public-private partnerships in acute care hospitals.

In response to mounting concerns about safety, accountability, and access to care, the NSW government introduced Joe’s Law, legislation that prevents future public-private partnerships from being imposed on NSW public acute care hospitals.

The law has played a significant role in reshaping how hospital governance, accountability, and patient safety are discussed in NSW, particularly when concerns raised by patients and families are not addressed early enough.

As medical negligence lawyers, we see the consequences of delayed care far too often. We also see how different the outcome can be when concerns are acted on before harm occurs.

When does delayed emergency care become medical negligence?

Hospitals exist for moments of urgency and vulnerability. When someone presents with a potentially life‑threatening condition, every minute matters.

Delayed emergency care can become medical negligence when an unreasonable delay occurs, and that delay causes harm that could have been avoided with timely triage or treatment. This may involve failures to recognise deterioration, act on warning signs, escalate concerns, or respond appropriately to urgent clinical needs.

The issues that emerged at Northern Beaches Hospital weren’t only about one tragic case. Further investigations revealed other serious incidents, including the preventable death of a newborn after an emergency caesarean was delayed.

These stories highlight a hard truth: when patients or their families feel something is not right with their care, but systems make it difficult to raise concerns, the risk of harm increases.

The importance of Raise It

Out of the Massas’ advocacy came Raise It, previously known as REACH, an initiative that gives patients, families, and carers a direct way to escalate immediate concerns about clinical care in NSW public hospitals.

If you’re worried about your care, or the care of someone you love, you have the right to speak up. Sometimes families see changes before clinicians do. You might notice something feels wrong, or you may be concerned that something important is being missed. You know best if something is not right with yourself or a loved one. Raise It provides a simple escalation pathway:

• first, tell the nurse or doctor caring for you about your concern
• if it isn’t resolved, or if the situation feels urgent, you can ask to Raise It
• this triggers senior clinical staff to attend and review the situation promptly

It’s a simple idea, but a powerful one, acknowledging that patients and families are not passive observers, they are essential voices in care.

Why listening to families saves lives

For Elouise and Danny Massa, the hospital’s return to public ownership is one of the final pieces of a long and painful journey as Joe’s parents.

Their advocacy has already saved lives, not just through Joe’s Law, but by helping embed a culture where raising concerns is encouraged, not feared.

At Maurice Blackburn, we believe accountability improves care. Listening to patients and their loved ones early prevents harm. And families should never have to fight simply to be heard.

What should you do if something doesn’t feel right in hospital?

If you or a loved one is in a NSW public hospital and you’re worried about care, trust your instincts and use Raise It.

And if harm has already occurred, speak to our expert medical negligence lawyers. You don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. We operate on a No Win, No Fee basis and offer free initial consultations to help you understand your rights and options.

Joe’s legacy is a reminder that when families are heard, systems can change.