Early compensation payments totalling $23.2 million were paid to Calvary in 2023, and talks had been ongoing about further compensation.<\/p>\n
The government has now confirmed a settlement was reached late last week, with an additional $65 million to be paid.<\/p>\n
ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the cash payment was in line with the projections and provisions made by the government at the time of the acquisition.<\/p>\n
“I am pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement that provides certainty for the territory and Calvary and effectively concludes the acquisition process,” she said.<\/p>\n
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A cross on Calvary Public Hospital was removed as part of the takeover in July 2023.\u00a0 (Supplied: Catholic Voice)<\/p>\n
Ms Stephen-Smith said the government had waived some debts, liabilities and other financial offsets to come to a settlement, and that it has also entered into an “operations agreement” with Calvary “to support ongoing collaboration in relation to the operation of the Bruce campus”.<\/p>\n
“I recognise that the acquisition and transition was stressful for many staff, and I thank the incredible teams at North Canberra Hospital and Clare Holland House that have continued to provide exceptional care as part of Canberra Health Services,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.<\/p>\n
“Since the transition, there have been many achievements as staff have worked together across our hospitals to build a single integrated public health system.”<\/p>\n
Calvary Health Care’s national CEO Damien Bruce confirmed the settlement agreement marked the end of the acquisition process.<\/p>\n
“We look forward to focusing on our ongoing positive working relationship with the territory to ensuring people receive the quality care they need, when they need it,” he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
New $1 billion hospital to be built<\/p>\n
The government made the acquisition to facilitate the delivery of a new northside hospital on the site, which will cost more than $1 billion, making it the largest health infrastructure project ever undertaken in the ACT.<\/p>\n
The take-over was made possible through legislation that passed the Legislative Assembly, allowing for the government to compulsorily acquire the hospital’s assets and effectively transition Calvary staff to Canberra Health Services.<\/p>\n