As Healthscope's fate looms, Lake Macquarie Private Hospital is expanding
So said Lake Macquarie Private Hospital CEO Sharon Rewitt when asked about the prospect.
"The ACCC wouldn't easily give us another hospital in the Hunter. It doesn't like anyone to dominate completely," Ms Rewitt said.
"We already have a big footprint here."
Ramsay owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals, and officially opened a $20 million surgical centre in Charlestown earlier this month.
A $45 million, six-storey expansion of Lake Macquarie Private at Gateshead gained state planning approval in May.
An earlier plan for a $120 million, 10-storey tower was also approved.
Given the volatility of the market, Ramsay is considering when and how to proceed.
However, a concussion clinic and stroke unit have been established and the oncology unit has expanded at the Gateshead site.
Newcastle Private is among the 37 hospitals owned by Healthscope, which is in receivership and expected to be broken up.
It was reported this week that Ramsay was among nine parties to express interest in Healthscope hospitals.
"Ramsay has publicly said we would be interested in some of the hospitals in areas where we are not," Ms Rewitt said.
She said the private health sector in Newcastle was "a very competitive environment".
"People are a lot more discerning now. They have information.
"They can say, 'I don't want to go to that hospital because I don't think they're good. I want to go to this hospital'."
The cost of surgery and seeing specialists in the private sector has come under scrutiny.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said in March that the Albanese government would upgrade the Medical Costs Finder website.
The website will display the average fee charged by specialists, including surgery prices, alongside the national average.
Mr Butler said the cost of medical and hospital services was "a key driver of health inflation for consumers".
He said this fed into "higher out-of-pocket costs and higher private health insurance premiums".
Ms Rewitt said labour and supply costs had "gone up significantly and remain challenging".
"Post-COVID, nothing really returned to normal. Over the last few years, there's definitely been an erosion of margins," she said.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
In March, Mr Butler threatened health insurers with "regulatory action" if they did not take "immediate steps" to boost funding to private hospitals.
Asked if her hospital had experienced a boost, Ms Rewitt said "we have".
"We're still in negotiations with a few of the insurers."
She said the price of surgeries was "dictated by what we get from the health funds".
"They say to us, this is what you'll get for this and that service."
The federal health department states that "doctors set their own fees for private medical services".
"Many doctors and insurers use gap arrangements to remove or reduce your gap payment.
"Fees for the same type and quality of care might vary, depending on who you see and where they are located."
Ms Rewitt said the healthcare sector must "find new ways of doing things".
"People are getting older and living much longer. They live with lots of comorbidities."
She said there was a lot of change and opportunity ahead.
"We do a lot more work now with robotics. Patients spend a lot less time in hospital. They recover better.
"The question then is, what resources are available after they've left the hospital."
Consumer law won't allow Ramsay Health Care to buy the up-for-sale Newcastle Private Hospital.
So said Lake Macquarie Private Hospital CEO Sharon Rewitt when asked about the prospect.
"The ACCC wouldn't easily give us another hospital in the Hunter. It doesn't like anyone to dominate completely," Ms Rewitt said.
"We already have a big footprint here."
Ramsay owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals, and officially opened a $20 million surgical centre in Charlestown earlier this month.
A $45 million, six-storey expansion of Lake Macquarie Private at Gateshead gained state planning approval in May.
An earlier plan for a $120 million, 10-storey tower was also approved.
Given the volatility of the market, Ramsay is considering when and how to proceed.
However, a concussion clinic and stroke unit have been established and the oncology unit has expanded at the Gateshead site.
Newcastle Private is among the 37 hospitals owned by Healthscope, which is in receivership and expected to be broken up.
It was reported this week that Ramsay was among nine parties to express interest in Healthscope hospitals.
"Ramsay has publicly said we would be interested in some of the hospitals in areas where we are not," Ms Rewitt said.
She said the private health sector in Newcastle was "a very competitive environment".
"People are a lot more discerning now. They have information.
"They can say, 'I don't want to go to that hospital because I don't think they're good. I want to go to this hospital'."
The cost of surgery and seeing specialists in the private sector has come under scrutiny.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said in March that the Albanese government would upgrade the Medical Costs Finder website.
The website will display the average fee charged by specialists, including surgery prices, alongside the national average.
Mr Butler said the cost of medical and hospital services was "a key driver of health inflation for consumers".
He said this fed into "higher out-of-pocket costs and higher private health insurance premiums".
Ms Rewitt said labour and supply costs had "gone up significantly and remain challenging".
"Post-COVID, nothing really returned to normal. Over the last few years, there's definitely been an erosion of margins," she said.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
In March, Mr Butler threatened health insurers with "regulatory action" if they did not take "immediate steps" to boost funding to private hospitals.
Asked if her hospital had experienced a boost, Ms Rewitt said "we have".
"We're still in negotiations with a few of the insurers."
She said the price of surgeries was "dictated by what we get from the health funds".
"They say to us, this is what you'll get for this and that service."
The federal health department states that "doctors set their own fees for private medical services".
"Many doctors and insurers use gap arrangements to remove or reduce your gap payment.
"Fees for the same type and quality of care might vary, depending on who you see and where they are located."
Ms Rewitt said the healthcare sector must "find new ways of doing things".
"People are getting older and living much longer. They live with lots of comorbidities."
She said there was a lot of change and opportunity ahead.
"We do a lot more work now with robotics. Patients spend a lot less time in hospital. They recover better.
"The question then is, what resources are available after they've left the hospital."
Consumer law won't allow Ramsay Health Care to buy the up-for-sale Newcastle Private Hospital.
So said Lake Macquarie Private Hospital CEO Sharon Rewitt when asked about the prospect.
"The ACCC wouldn't easily give us another hospital in the Hunter. It doesn't like anyone to dominate completely," Ms Rewitt said.
"We already have a big footprint here."
Ramsay owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals, and officially opened a $20 million surgical centre in Charlestown earlier this month.
A $45 million, six-storey expansion of Lake Macquarie Private at Gateshead gained state planning approval in May.
An earlier plan for a $120 million, 10-storey tower was also approved.
Given the volatility of the market, Ramsay is considering when and how to proceed.
However, a concussion clinic and stroke unit have been established and the oncology unit has expanded at the Gateshead site.
Newcastle Private is among the 37 hospitals owned by Healthscope, which is in receivership and expected to be broken up.
It was reported this week that Ramsay was among nine parties to express interest in Healthscope hospitals.
"Ramsay has publicly said we would be interested in some of the hospitals in areas where we are not," Ms Rewitt said.
She said the private health sector in Newcastle was "a very competitive environment".
"People are a lot more discerning now. They have information.
"They can say, 'I don't want to go to that hospital because I don't think they're good. I want to go to this hospital'."
The cost of surgery and seeing specialists in the private sector has come under scrutiny.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said in March that the Albanese government would upgrade the Medical Costs Finder website.
The website will display the average fee charged by specialists, including surgery prices, alongside the national average.
Mr Butler said the cost of medical and hospital services was "a key driver of health inflation for consumers".
He said this fed into "higher out-of-pocket costs and higher private health insurance premiums".
Ms Rewitt said labour and supply costs had "gone up significantly and remain challenging".
"Post-COVID, nothing really returned to normal. Over the last few years, there's definitely been an erosion of margins," she said.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
In March, Mr Butler threatened health insurers with "regulatory action" if they did not take "immediate steps" to boost funding to private hospitals.
Asked if her hospital had experienced a boost, Ms Rewitt said "we have".
"We're still in negotiations with a few of the insurers."
She said the price of surgeries was "dictated by what we get from the health funds".
"They say to us, this is what you'll get for this and that service."
The federal health department states that "doctors set their own fees for private medical services".
"Many doctors and insurers use gap arrangements to remove or reduce your gap payment.
"Fees for the same type and quality of care might vary, depending on who you see and where they are located."
Ms Rewitt said the healthcare sector must "find new ways of doing things".
"People are getting older and living much longer. They live with lots of comorbidities."
She said there was a lot of change and opportunity ahead.
"We do a lot more work now with robotics. Patients spend a lot less time in hospital. They recover better.
"The question then is, what resources are available after they've left the hospital."
Consumer law won't allow Ramsay Health Care to buy the up-for-sale Newcastle Private Hospital.
So said Lake Macquarie Private Hospital CEO Sharon Rewitt when asked about the prospect.
"The ACCC wouldn't easily give us another hospital in the Hunter. It doesn't like anyone to dominate completely," Ms Rewitt said.
"We already have a big footprint here."
Ramsay owns Lake Macquarie and Warners Bay private hospitals, and officially opened a $20 million surgical centre in Charlestown earlier this month.
A $45 million, six-storey expansion of Lake Macquarie Private at Gateshead gained state planning approval in May.
An earlier plan for a $120 million, 10-storey tower was also approved.
Given the volatility of the market, Ramsay is considering when and how to proceed.
However, a concussion clinic and stroke unit have been established and the oncology unit has expanded at the Gateshead site.
Newcastle Private is among the 37 hospitals owned by Healthscope, which is in receivership and expected to be broken up.
It was reported this week that Ramsay was among nine parties to express interest in Healthscope hospitals.
"Ramsay has publicly said we would be interested in some of the hospitals in areas where we are not," Ms Rewitt said.
She said the private health sector in Newcastle was "a very competitive environment".
"People are a lot more discerning now. They have information.
"They can say, 'I don't want to go to that hospital because I don't think they're good. I want to go to this hospital'."
The cost of surgery and seeing specialists in the private sector has come under scrutiny.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said in March that the Albanese government would upgrade the Medical Costs Finder website.
The website will display the average fee charged by specialists, including surgery prices, alongside the national average.
Mr Butler said the cost of medical and hospital services was "a key driver of health inflation for consumers".
He said this fed into "higher out-of-pocket costs and higher private health insurance premiums".
Ms Rewitt said labour and supply costs had "gone up significantly and remain challenging".
"Post-COVID, nothing really returned to normal. Over the last few years, there's definitely been an erosion of margins," she said.
Private hospitals have been locked in a battle with health insurers for higher payments to cover the rising costs of treating patients.
In March, Mr Butler threatened health insurers with "regulatory action" if they did not take "immediate steps" to boost funding to private hospitals.
Asked if her hospital had experienced a boost, Ms Rewitt said "we have".
"We're still in negotiations with a few of the insurers."
She said the price of surgeries was "dictated by what we get from the health funds".
"They say to us, this is what you'll get for this and that service."
The federal health department states that "doctors set their own fees for private medical services".
"Many doctors and insurers use gap arrangements to remove or reduce your gap payment.
"Fees for the same type and quality of care might vary, depending on who you see and where they are located."
Ms Rewitt said the healthcare sector must "find new ways of doing things".
"People are getting older and living much longer. They live with lots of comorbidities."
She said there was a lot of change and opportunity ahead.
"We do a lot more work now with robotics. Patients spend a lot less time in hospital. They recover better.
"The question then is, what resources are available after they've left the hospital."
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"[With the extra staffing] our high-risk patients that we have in the department will be provided the safe nursing care that they actually deserve and we haven't been able to provide." Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said on Thursday it was "a big win" to have the Mater brought under the umbrella. "Calvary Mater Newcastle is not just a hospital," she said. "It's a vital part of the Hunter's health network and today's announcement means better care for every patient who walks through its doors. "The Hunter community has fought hard for a fairer health system, and this is the result of that advocacy. Real reform that strengthens patient care and supports our incredible nurses. "Safe Staffing Levels aren't just numbers on a roster, they're the difference between patients being seen sooner, being treated faster and having more time with the professionals who care for them." Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said the fierce advocacy of front-line staff had paid off. 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Camilla Smith, the Mater branch secretary for the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association, said on Thursday the news was welcomed. She said there would "definitely be a bottle of champagne" to celebrate. "We're obviously all ecstatic and it couldn't come at a better time with just the surging and the flu and COVID intake and just generally people being sicker," she said. "We're finally getting acknowledged in staffing levels for the work that we do." "It's just been such a massive battle. When you're in the thick of it, you think it's not going to happen." Ms Smith said there remained issues, including "the highest number of code black incidents in the state", but expanding the reform to include the Mater would stop its resources falling behind. "People who work at the Calvary love it and they don't want to go, but when you're working under less staffing levels than every other hospital in your area, you've got to really love your job," she said. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the Safe Staffing Level reforms introduce minimum staffing levels, which the state government says will "result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state". "Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff," he said. In the public sector the rules dictate a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse per three generally occupied treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce - incorporating local health districts, NSW Health and NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association representatives - is preparing to work out the full-time equivalent staffing required at the Calvary Mater, the state government said. Calvary Mater emergency department nurse unit manager Andrew Adams said extra staff would improve morale on the ground, as well as boosting safety and capacity for care. He said staff would likely feel safer with more colleagues due to the changes, having faced an increase in staff injuries and assaults. "We're one of the bigger EDs in the local health district, and we do see a lot of patients of high acuity," he said. "[With the extra staffing] our high-risk patients that we have in the department will be provided the safe nursing care that they actually deserve and we haven't been able to provide." Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said on Thursday it was "a big win" to have the Mater brought under the umbrella. "Calvary Mater Newcastle is not just a hospital," she said. "It's a vital part of the Hunter's health network and today's announcement means better care for every patient who walks through its doors. "The Hunter community has fought hard for a fairer health system, and this is the result of that advocacy. Real reform that strengthens patient care and supports our incredible nurses. "Safe Staffing Levels aren't just numbers on a roster, they're the difference between patients being seen sooner, being treated faster and having more time with the professionals who care for them." Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said the fierce advocacy of front-line staff had paid off. "I want to thank the nurses of the Mater Hospital, in particular branch secretary Camilla Smith, for their patience and strong advocacy in seeing this Safe Staffing Level expansion," Ms Hornery said. "I also want to thank Minister Park for his commitment to expanding these reforms to all hospitals in the Wallsend electorate." STAFFING at one of Newcastle's largest hospitals will be covered by statewide mandates, closing a loophole its staff had slammed as a dangerous omission. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park on Thursday confirmed planning has begun to bring safe staffing levels to the Calvary Mater's emergency department. Introducing the changes will make the hospital the first affiliated health organisation to come under reforms already rolling out across 30 public hospital emergency departments, including the John Hunter. In May, the Newcastle Herald reported nurses were calling on the state government to expand the plan rather than make the Mater the exception among Hunter hospitals. Camilla Smith, the Mater branch secretary for the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association, said on Thursday the news was welcomed. She said there would "definitely be a bottle of champagne" to celebrate. "We're obviously all ecstatic and it couldn't come at a better time with just the surging and the flu and COVID intake and just generally people being sicker," she said. "We're finally getting acknowledged in staffing levels for the work that we do." "It's just been such a massive battle. When you're in the thick of it, you think it's not going to happen." Ms Smith said there remained issues, including "the highest number of code black incidents in the state", but expanding the reform to include the Mater would stop its resources falling behind. "People who work at the Calvary love it and they don't want to go, but when you're working under less staffing levels than every other hospital in your area, you've got to really love your job," she said. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the Safe Staffing Level reforms introduce minimum staffing levels, which the state government says will "result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state". "Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff," he said. In the public sector the rules dictate a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse per three generally occupied treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce - incorporating local health districts, NSW Health and NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association representatives - is preparing to work out the full-time equivalent staffing required at the Calvary Mater, the state government said. Calvary Mater emergency department nurse unit manager Andrew Adams said extra staff would improve morale on the ground, as well as boosting safety and capacity for care. He said staff would likely feel safer with more colleagues due to the changes, having faced an increase in staff injuries and assaults. "We're one of the bigger EDs in the local health district, and we do see a lot of patients of high acuity," he said. "[With the extra staffing] our high-risk patients that we have in the department will be provided the safe nursing care that they actually deserve and we haven't been able to provide." Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said on Thursday it was "a big win" to have the Mater brought under the umbrella. "Calvary Mater Newcastle is not just a hospital," she said. "It's a vital part of the Hunter's health network and today's announcement means better care for every patient who walks through its doors. "The Hunter community has fought hard for a fairer health system, and this is the result of that advocacy. Real reform that strengthens patient care and supports our incredible nurses. "Safe Staffing Levels aren't just numbers on a roster, they're the difference between patients being seen sooner, being treated faster and having more time with the professionals who care for them." Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said the fierce advocacy of front-line staff had paid off. "I want to thank the nurses of the Mater Hospital, in particular branch secretary Camilla Smith, for their patience and strong advocacy in seeing this Safe Staffing Level expansion," Ms Hornery said. "I also want to thank Minister Park for his commitment to expanding these reforms to all hospitals in the Wallsend electorate."
