Ramsay Health Care’s acquisition of National Capital Private Hospital is the company’s first hospital in the Territory. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
National Capital Private Hospital in Garran is getting a new name – and new menu – after being acquired by Ramsay Health Care for $251 million.
The parent company of its operator, Healthscope, went into receivership in May last year, with the ACCC approving Ramsay Health Care’s purchase of the site.
From Tuesday (1 September), the hospital was officially renamed Ramsay Private Hospital National Capital – the company’s first hospital in Canberra.
Ramsay Health Care Managing Director and CEO, Natalie Davis, welcomed the hospital’s 555 employees who were offered contracts.
“National Capital has an important place in Canberra’s health system, with strong clinical services and longstanding relationships with doctors, patients and the local community,” Ms Davis said.
“We’re delighted to welcome General Manager Elizabeth Porritt and the National Capital team to Ramsay and look forward to building on those strengths, while investing in areas that can make a real difference to the experience of patients and team members.”
Plans for a new onsite kitchen are already in the works, to give patients greater choice and flexibility over what they eat and when.
The new model will allow patients to order meals from their mobile phones (similar to a food delivery app).
“The new kitchen will give patients much more flexibility to choose what they would like to eat and order when it suits them, with meals freshly prepared onsite and delivered to the room,” Ms Davis said.
Medical diets, allergies, texture-modified meals, and cultural and religious dietary requirements are expected to be more easily accommodated through the change.
Construction of the new kitchen is expected to begin in early 2027, with the facility likely to be operational by mid to late next year.
The new kitchen will also create local catering roles in Canberra.
Ms Davis said this was just the start of changes planned for patients at the private hospital.
“We’re also looking forward to working with our doctors, employees and local partners to identify further opportunities to develop services and strengthen the hospital’s contribution to health care in the ACT,” she said.
Ramsay Private Hospital National Capital is located on the Canberra Hospital campus and is leased from Canberra Health Services on terms that extend until 2064.
The $251 million acquisition (excluding GST) was funded from Ramsay’s existing debt facilities.
Ms Davis said the acquisition was expected to increase the company’s earnings per share within the first 12 months of ownership.
The hospital has eight theatres, one cath lab, 148 beds, an intensive care unit and a coronary care unit.
