Ramsay and Calvary closed year-end Healthscope deals, but a long list of unsold hospitals suggests the Boxing Day sales aren’t over yet.
Healthscope hospitals had a flurry of sales as the year ended with buyers found for National Capital, Hobart, and Holmesglen hospitals.
Shortly before Christmas, Ramsay Health Care announced it had expanded into the ACT with the acquisition of National Capital Private Hospital.
The group paid $251 million for the hospital, which is located next to Canberra Hospital and the Australian National University Medical School.
According to Ramsay Health Care Group CEO Natalie Davis, it’s their first hospital investment in the nation’s capital.
“This acquisition reflects our focus on hospitals that deliver quality high acuity care, serve established communities and have strong foundations to support clinical development and training,” Ms Davis said.
“Working closely with Canberra Health Services and the National Capital Private Hospital team, we see real opportunity to further develop the services and reputation of this leading health precinct.”
The deal is subject to regulatory approval, with Ramsay expecting to take over operations by mid-2026.
Meanwhile, Calvary Health Care announced it would gain Holmesglen Private Hospital in Victoria and Hobart Private Hospital in Tasmania from Healthscope. They already own 17 hospitals across NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
The Holmesglen acquisition in Moorabbin in southeast Melbourne will complement Calvary’s existing aged care, retirement and home care services in the region.
In Tasmania, Calvary already has four hospitals (two in Launceston and two in Hobart) so the addition of Hobart Private will add to its established presence.
“These acquisitions reflect Calvary’s long-standing commitment to caring for communities and ensuring the ongoing availability of high-quality private hospital services,” said Damien Bruce, national chief executive officer of Calvary Health Care.
However, AMA Tasmania has highlighted its concern for access to certain types of care from the Catholic provider.
An AMA Tasmania spokesperson said:
“As the only private hospital provider in Hobart, Calvary has a responsibility to ensure patients retain access to legal healthcare options, including vasectomies, terminations, fertility-related procedures and gender-affirming surgery.
“Exemptions must be put in place to allow these procedures to continue to be performed in private hospitals in southern Tasmania; the public system simply does not have the capacity to absorb this additional workload.”
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The state’s two major IVF providers both use Hobart Private for their work. According to an ABC News article, questions about the availability of these procedures would be answered “in the new year”.
“We recognise the uncertainty experienced by staff and clinicians during this period, and our focus is on providing stability, continuity of care and a strong future for Holmesglen and Hobart Private Hospitals,” Mr Bruce said in a statement.
“We look forward to welcoming our new staff, VMOs, and other partners in care to Calvary Health Care in due course and to working closely with the Victorian and Tasmanian governments as the transition progresses.”
Late last year, a deal between Northwest Healthcare Properties REIT and Calvary Health Care to buy 12 Healthscope hospitals was reportedly rejected twice by the hospital group receivers, McGrathNicol.
The two multiple hundred million dollar offers were for 1600 beds across Brisbane Private, Melbourne Clinic, Newcastle Private and Norwest hospitals. The goal was for Northwest Healthcare Properties to stay as landlord while Calvary would operate the hospitals.
Other hospitals still up for grabs include the Prince of Wales Private Hospital in Sydney which Pacific Equity Partners is believed to be eyeing up, the Gold Coast Private Hospital which Mater Health is interested in and Knox Private Hospital in Melbourne which Epworth HealthCare is believed to be interested in.