Tasmanian hospital sale to Catholic provider sparks fears over restricted services

The sale of Hobart Private Hospital to Catholic provider Calvary Healthcare has received the green light from the corporate watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), despite significant concerns about potential service restrictions.

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We are very disappointed by the ACCC's decision because it has failed in its job to protect consumers and the essential health services they deserve.

Calvary Healthcare, which operates four other hospitals in Tasmania, adheres to a Catholic code that prohibits services such as vasectomies, gender-affirming care, surgical terminations, voluntary assisted dying, and fertility treatments, including IVF. This adherence has led to fears that patients will no longer be able to access these essential health services at Hobart Private Hospital, which currently offers them.

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Currently, Calvary hospitals do not allow gender affirming surgeries for trans and gender diverse people. Hobart Private does allow such surgeries, so when Calvary takes over, we can expect gender affirming surgeries to cease.

Yalei Wilson from advocacy group Engender Tasmania voiced strong disappointment, stating the ACCC "failed in its job to protect consumers and the essential health services they deserve." Wilson highlighted that Calvary hospitals do not currently permit gender-affirming surgeries, a service Hobart Private provides. This potential cessation of services could force transgender and gender-diverse Tasmanians to seek treatment interstate, incurring significant personal and governmental costs.

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This may mean trans and gender-diverse Tasmanians have to seek treatment interstate, at great expense to themselves and to the state government.

The Tasmania branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) also expressed concern, noting that Calvary now holds a monopoly over private hospitals in both Hobart and Launceston. AMA Tasmania president Dr. Meg Creely acknowledged that having a private hospital is preferable to none, but emphasized the worry surrounding the monopoly and the potential for reduced access to crucial healthcare services for Tasmanians.

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We have written to the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner asking her to conduct an inquiry.