Receivers called in to hospital group

Pine Rivers Private Hospital. Picture: Google Maps

Healthscope, which runs two private hospitals in the Moreton Bay region, has called in the receivers.

The company has 37 hospitals across the country, including Peninsula Private Hospital in Kippa-Ring and Pine Rivers Private Hospital at Strathpine.

Reports say the CBA is giving the country’s second largest private hospital operator $100 million to keep the hospitals open.

Westpac is also reported to have separately agreed to help fund Healthscope, while receivers McGrathNicol work to sell the business.

Healthscope, which is based in Melbourne and reported to have 19,000 employees, has posted a short statement on its website.

“Please note that Healthscope has entered receivership, with McGrathNicol appointed to oversee the current sale process and transition to new owners,” the statement says.

“While this process unfolds, please be assured that it remains business as usual across all Healthscope hospitals.

“Our hospitals continue to treat and provide outstanding care for patients. There are no changes to patient admissions and no interruptions to surgeries.

“Our dedicated and skilled hospital clinicians across our 37 hospitals stand ready to care for you now and into the future.”

National reports are already suggesting a number of Australia’s other healthcare organisations are eying up parts of the Healthscope business.

Peninsula Private Hospital, on the corner of George and Florence Sts, Kippa-Ring, opened more than 40 years ago.

According to its website, the hospital has 70 beds medical, providing surgical and rehabilitation healthcare services.

Peninsula Private Hospital is being upgraded with plans for four new operating theatres, additional day procedure rooms, a high dependency unit and refurbished patient rooms.

Pine Rivers Private Hospital, open for more than three decades in Dixon St, Strathpine, is now a dedicated mental health facility.