Ramsay Health Care has acquired National Capital Private Hospital after its previous owner entered receivership. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
Business should continue as usual for National Capital Private Hospital, with the watchdog approving its sale to an established operator.
The ACCC has approved Ramsay Health Care to complete its purchase of the hospital, following Healthscope Group’s parent company entering receivership in May 2025.
The sale agreement means that all of National Capital Private Hospital’s assets and operations will be transferred to Ramsay Health Care. It’s hoped the transaction will be completed in the first quarter of 2027.
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith expected this would be a “smooth transition” for staff who had continued working despite the uncertainty.
“Obviously, it’s been a challenging time for staff right across the Healthscope network and the staff at National Capital Private,” she said.
“National Capital is a profitable hospital; it was one of the best hospitals in the Healthscope network, and so it was always going to be an attractive proposition.”
Ramsay Health Care currently has no presence in the ACT. One next step will be for Canberra Health Services to liaise with Ramsay Health Care on how the relationship between the two hospitals will continue to work, given National Capital is located on The Canberra Hospital campus.
A Healthscope statement endorsed National Capital’s sale to Ramsay Health Care, along with the sale of four of its other hospitals to various operators.
“Each agreement provides for the continuity of employment and service for employees at each hospital,” it stated.
“All staff will continue in their current roles, eventually transferring to the new owners under the same or better employment terms, along with existing entitlements and length of service.”
The Northern Beaches Hospital’s operations were transferred to the NSW Government.
Ms Stephen-Smith was also pleased about the certainty the ACCC’s approval provided for patients from Canberra and the surrounding region.
“Some other jurisdictions are facing a lot more uncertainty around the future of their Healthscope hospital, or hospitals, and so I think we have been in a fortunate position here,” she said.
“It’s good to get certainty as quickly as possible.”
Healthscope’s remaining 31 hospitals will be operated under a newly created not-for-profit organisation.
“The transition of this significant portfolio of hospitals to a well-capitalised not-for-profit organisation, operating in accordance with its care-focused charitable purpose, would support the long-term sustainability of the private health sector in Australia, taking pressure off the public health system,” a Healthscope statement outlined.
“The non-denominational charitable structure will ensure surpluses are reinvested back into hospitals to support excellent patient care and choice, employee engagement and wellbeing, and the continued provision of market-leading healthcare services.”
Receivers and managers’ representative Keith Crawford has previously described the receivership process as “complex” due to the large number of assets across multiple jurisdictions and negotiations with various stakeholders.
“We are pleased we can now provide a clear direction to Healthscope patients, employees and communities about the future of their local hospitals,” he said.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Healthscope team and key stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the plan in the interests of patients, employees and the Australian community.”
