RACS President, Professor Owen Ung, says private hospitals play a vital role in supporting the delivery of surgical care—especially given the current pressures on the public health sector.
Healthscope operates hospitals across Australia, and the potential closure or sale of any could significantly undermine the stability of the private healthcare system.
“We see the private and public systems as symbiotic; the weakening of one impacts the other,” Professor Ung said.
“For surgeons, this could mean job losses, reduced surgical training positions, and fewer operating theatres—compounding pressures on an already overburdened system. For patients, it could result in higher out-of-pocket costs, reduced access to care, and longer wait times for essential treatment.”
RACS welcomes Healthscope’s statement today that there is no impact on hospital operations or patient care and also notes the receiver’s intention to transition all hospital to new ownership, with no plans for hospital closures or redundancies.
RACS urges all parties—including the Australian Government, Healthscope, receivers, and insurers—to engage in urgent talks to safeguard the viability of the private hospital sector.
RACS has been closely monitoring developments and is actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the voices of surgeons and patients are heard throughout the process.
“Medical leadership will be critical to ensure decisions are made in the best interests of patients and the surgical workforce,” Professor Ung said.
“Australians must continue to have access to safe, high-quality, and affordable surgical care—when and where they need it.”
Healthscope operates hospitals across Australia, and the potential closure or sale of any could significantly undermine the stability of the private healthcare system.
“We see the private and public systems as symbiotic; the weakening of one impacts the other,” Professor Ung said.
“For surgeons, this could mean job losses, reduced surgical training positions, and fewer operating theatres—compounding pressures on an already overburdened system. For patients, it could result in higher out-of-pocket costs, reduced access to care, and longer wait times for essential treatment.”
RACS welcomes Healthscope’s statement today that there is no impact on hospital operations or patient care and also notes the receiver’s intention to transition all hospital to new ownership, with no plans for hospital closures or redundancies.
RACS urges all parties—including the Australian Government, Healthscope, receivers, and insurers—to engage in urgent talks to safeguard the viability of the private hospital sector.
RACS has been closely monitoring developments and is actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the voices of surgeons and patients are heard throughout the process.
“Medical leadership will be critical to ensure decisions are made in the best interests of patients and the surgical workforce,” Professor Ung said.
“Australians must continue to have access to safe, high-quality, and affordable surgical care—when and where they need it.”