Fears new Catholic owner will cut IVF, abortion services as hospital sale gets greenlight

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has approved the sale of Hobart Private Hospital to Calvary Healthcare, ending concerns about the hospital's future. However, there are worries that certain services, including gender-affirming care, surgical terminations, vasectomies, and fertility treatments like IVF, may no longer be available.

The health department assures that alternatives for IVF services have been established and work is ongoing to ensure no service gaps arise. Calvary Healthcare, a Catholic organization, has previously not provided gender-affirming surgeries for transgender and gender-diverse individuals. The advocacy group Equality Tasmania, Yalei Wilson, expressed disappointment with the ACCC's decision, stating that it failed to protect consumer rights and essential health services.

She urged the state government to intervene and prevent service disruptions. Wilson also highlighted the potential discrimination against LGBTIQA+ people and the impact on access to fertility treatments, contraceptive medication, surgeries, and natal care. The health department's secretary, Dale Webster, explained that without the takeover, the state would have lost 140 private beds.

He assured that Calvary will provide the same services through different providers, preventing any service gaps. The Tasmania branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) expressed concern over Calvary Healthcare's monopoly over private hospitals in Hobart and Launceston. Health Minister Bridget Archer endorsed the sale as a positive outcome, emphasizing the importance of private health services in supporting Tasmanians.