Help us or hospital system could fail: private operator

Tom McIlroyCanberra Bureau Chief

Jun 13, 2024 – 8.01pm

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One of Australia’s largest Catholic hospital operators, St John of God, has warned the country’s public health system risks being overwhelmed if private providers are not put on a more sustainable footing.

As the $22 billion private hospital sector faces intense financial stress driven by rising labour and input costs and constrained revenue, operators have welcomed an urgent review launched by Health Minister Mark Butler.

Tom McIlroy is the Financial Review’s Canberra bureau chief based in the press gallery at Parliament House. He was previously the AFR’s political correspondent.