Australia’s private hospitals are essential to the high-quality healthcare we expect as a nation. About 650 facilities, more than half of which are standalone day hospitals, account for more than 40 per cent of all hospital admissions and two-thirds of elective surgery. Without them, the entire healthcare system collapses. It follows that ensuring the viability of private hospitals, such as the 38 owned and operated by Healthscope, is critical.

Yet, how did we get to where this has become a threat?