The Australian Medical Association Tasmania and the Government have both welcomed the acquisition of Hobart Private Hospital by Calvary Health Care- though from differing perspectives. Minister for Health Bridget Archer described the deal as a positive step for private health stability- while the medical body warned that a resulting private monopoly must not compromise access to essential procedures.
Media release – Australian Medical Association Tasmania, 24 December 2025
PROMISING STEP FOR PRIVATE HEALTHCARE IN TASMANIA BUT ENSURING ACCESS MUST REMAIN A PRIORITY
The AMA Tasmania welcomes the acquisition of the Hobart Private Hospital by Calvary. This is good news for private patients who want access to private beds and a choice of doctors.
However, we are deeply concerned about the potential restriction of lawful medical procedures in the private hospital sector as a result.
As the only private hospital provider in Hobart, Calvary has a responsibility to ensure patients retain access to legal healthcare options, including vasectomies, terminations, fertility-related procedures and gender-affirming surgery. Exemptions must be put in place to allow these procedures to continue to be performed in private hospitals in southern Tasmania; the public system simply does not have the capacity to absorb this additional workload.
It is also critical that the Tasmanian Government works strategically with private hospital providers to ensure public patients are treated within clinically indicated timeframes by continuing to outsource some work to the private sector, which also helps to keep this sector sustainable.
More broadly, Tasmania must undertake a comprehensive and sustainable plan and review of how hospital services are provided and located within Hobart. We must maximise the utilisation of existing facilities and be clear about where and how care is delivered across southern Tasmania.
The same strategic approach is urgently required in northern Tasmania. In particular, clarity is needed around the future of the former Calvary hospital infrastructure in Launceston.
Calvary must make clear its long-term strategic and capital investment plans for its Launceston hospitals, including what new or co-located private hospital investments are urgently needed to meet demand.
Media release – Bridget Archer MHA, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, 24 December 2025
Proposed sale of Hobart Private Hospital welcome
The Tasmanian Government welcomes today’s announcement that Calvary Health Care has entered into an agreement to acquire the Hobart Private Hospital from Healthscope.
The Government has been closely monitoring this situation over recent months and has been engaging with Healthscope’s receivers to understand all scenarios arising from this process.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said today’s announcement was a positive step forward for the Hobart Private.
“If you pay for private health, you should be able to access it and this decision will provide welcome reassurance to staff and the Tasmanian community about the continuation of private health services in the south of the state,” Archer said.
“It is important that the public and private health systems work effectively to meet the health needs of all Tasmanians, and we recognise the private health sector plays an important role for the healthcare system in Tasmania.
“We have a strong history of collaboration with Calvary Health Care and intend to continue this into the future.
“We remain committed to working with all partners to ensure continuity of care, patient choice and sustainability of health services for the Tasmanian community, both in the public and private health systems.”
The Department of Health will continue to negotiate terms with the new operator in 2026.
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