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Hobart Private Hospital, a key healthcare facility in Tasmania, faces significant scrutiny following its acquisition by the Catholic provider, Calvary Health Care. The sale, confirmed by operator Healthscope, has immediately triggered widespread concerns regarding patient access to a range of lawful medical procedures, including surgical terminations, vasectomies, and gender-affirming care, which Calvary’s faith-based directives typically preclude. This development casts a shadow over the future of comprehensive private healthcare options in southern Tasmania, prompting urgent calls from medical bodies for assurances on service continuity.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has vociferously raised objections, highlighting that Calvary’s restrictions could severely impede Tasmanians’ ability to access essential and lawful treatments like IVF, voluntary assisted dying, and various reproductive health services. Dr. Michael Lumsden-Steele, AMA president, stressed that denying these services would compel patients to seek care interstate, an outcome he deemed “simply not appropriate.” This concern is particularly acute given that both of Tasmania’s primary IVF providers rely heavily on Hobart Private for their procedures, with one conducting all its work at the facility.
Calvary Health Care’s national chief executive, Damien Bruce, framed the acquisition of Hobart Private, alongside Victoria’s Holmesglen Private Hospital, as a testament to the organisation’s dedication to “caring for communities” and “ensuring the ongoing availability” of private healthcare services. He acknowledged the period of uncertainty for staff and clinicians, affirming Calvary’s commitment to providing stability and continuity of care. However, a spokesperson for Calvary declined to comment directly on the availability of the contentious procedures, stating only that questions would be addressed “in the new year,” leaving a significant void in immediate clarity for patients and providers.
The sale emerges from a period of financial instability for Healthscope, whose parent company entered receivership earlier this year, though its 37 hospitals nationwide have continued operations. Prior to the sale, Healthscope had already scaled back services at Hobart Private, closing its maternity unit in August and the St Helen’s mental health hospital in central Hobart in 2023. This history of closures underscores the precarious landscape of private healthcare in Tasmania and the broader challenges facing the sector, making the continuity of services under new ownership even more critical.
Luke Cameron, chief health officer at St Lukes private health insurance provider, articulated concerns over Calvary’s expanding footprint, noting that the organisation now stands as the sole private provider of overnight acute care in southern Tasmania and operates the only overnight private hospital in Launceston. Cameron warned that this “monopoly situation” confers a significant obligation on Calvary to ensure it delivers a comprehensive range of quality services at an affordable cost for Tasmanians. This market dominance amplifies the impact of any service restrictions, potentially limiting patient choice across the entire region.
Tasmanian Health Minister Bridget Archer welcomed the proposed sale, indicating that the government had closely monitored the situation. Ms Archer emphasised the principle that individuals paying for private health insurance should expect access to private healthcare services, expressing that the decision would offer reassurance to both staff and the Tasmanian community regarding the continuation of private health services in the south of the state. Her remarks, however, did not directly address the specific concerns raised about the potential withdrawal of certain procedures under Calvary’s management.
The AMA continues to press Calvary for “exemptions” to its faith-based policies, arguing that the public health system lacks the capacity to absorb the additional workload if these vital procedures are no longer offered privately. Dr. Lumsden-Steele underscored that the core issue revolves around equity, financial implications, and potential political ramifications, especially considering the existing complexities that already make abortion access difficult for some Tasmanians. The precedent set by previous restrictions at public hospitals further complicates the landscape, placing additional pressure on the new private operator.
The financial terms of the acquisition, including the sale price for the 146-bed facility co-located with the public Royal Hobart Hospital, remain undisclosed. Calvary already manages two other hospitals in southern Tasmania, in Lenah Valley and South Hobart, along with two in Launceston, solidifying its dominant position. It also remains unclear whether HealtheCare-owned North West Private Hospital in Burnie offers surgical terminations, adding to the regional uncertainty surrounding access to critical services. The full implications of this major healthcare shift are expected to unfold in the coming months.
