00:02After months of uncertainty, the future of Darwin's only private hospital is now in new hands.
00:09With major not-for-profit provider Calvary Healthcare today announcing it will acquire
00:1414 HealthScope hospitals across the country, including the Darwin facility.
00:19Great news for the territory, Calvary is the successful veteran, they bring a lot of experience.
00:24Before HealthScope collapsed into receivership earlier this year, its Darwin facility was
00:30troubled, with the private maternity closed in 2025. The takeover deal is not yet binding
00:36and subject to regulatory approvals, but the government is staying confident.
00:41The information we have at the moment is that the transaction or the transitional
00:46arrangement should be done by the 30th of November.
00:50The government is calling it a win for the territory and for expecting families in particular,
00:56but the opposition says it's too soon to celebrate.
01:00The CLP government have carried on for some time that any future agreement would absolutely
01:05front and centre feature maternity services for the private hospital. Today's announcement
01:11falls short of making it clear that there is that service on offer and we've heard loud
01:16and clear that Territorians want access.
01:18The Health Minister says the government understands private maternity services are a priority for
01:24Territory families and again said today the government will take any legal, legislative
01:30or economic actions to see them delivered.
01:32If that involves bed buys and a whole range of agreements with Calvary, we're going to certainly
01:40look at all options and once those options are on the table, we'll weigh them up like
01:45any good government does.
01:47The Minister wouldn't be drawn on a timeline for when those discussions will take place.
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