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A question mark has hung over Perth\u2019s Mount Private Hospital since its operator, Healthscope, entered into receivership more than 12 months ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 170-bed facility on Mounts Bay Road played an important role in offering specialist surgeries \u2013 particularly cardiac surgery \u2013 and, with WA\u2019s healthcare system already under strain, any reduction in capacity had the potential for flow-on impacts elsewhere.<\/p>\n That was until WA Labor assumed the role of dealmaker, brokering a takeover by Bethesda Health Care \u2013 unveiled in May \u2013 that would see the hospital continue its operations, with existing staff to be offered jobs with Bethesda.<\/p>\n However, WA\u2019s peak nursing union now fears staff at Mount Private Hospital will not be paid their appropriate wages and entitlements during a previously unannounced shutdown of the site, beginning Monday, and will instead be forced to use their annual leave.<\/p>\n A Mount Private Hospital spokesperson confirmed the site would undergo a planned shutdown from July 6 to 13 July to upgrade the centre\u2019s fire system, which is considered critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cDue to nature of the works program which includes significant crane lifts, no staff, patients or doctors will be able to be on site during the shutdown,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have worked closely with our staff and doctors to prepare for this important work, ensuring all patients are safely discharged and transferred ahead of time and that we will be able to welcome staff and patients back to site from the 14th of July.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Article But Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation WA state secretary Romina Raschilla said the shutdown had caused stress and financial burden for the organisation\u2019s members.<\/p>\n \u201cIn June, the ANMF WA lodged two disputes with the Fair Work Commission following information from Healthscope that Mount Private Hospital employees would not be paid their appropriate wages and entitlements during a nine-day scheduled shutdown of the hospital,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead, encouraging staff to take annual leave or unpaid leave for the shutdown period.<\/p>\n \u201cHospitals are a 24-hour, seven days a week, 365 days per year operation.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Mount Private Hospital has remained open during scheduled maintenance previously, including major redevelopment works in 2023, so it is disappointing to see other options were not considered over a closure.\u201d<\/p>\n In a previous media release issued at the announcement of the Bethesda takeover, a Healthscope spokesperson said hospital operations will transfer to Bethesda by the end of August, subject to a prior period of due diligence.<\/p>\n \u201cMount Private will continue its current operations, services will not be affected, and hospital jobs and entitlements will be protected,\u201d the release stated.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, it was announced that Healthscope lenders had approved a plan that would keep the nation\u2019s second-largest private hospital operator intact as a not-for-profit operation following its financial collapse last year after private equity owners walked away.<\/p>\n Late last year, the receivers sold Canberra-based National Capital<\/a> for $251 million to Ramsay Health, and also found buyers for Gold Coast Private, Victoria\u2019s Holmesglen Private and Hobart Private Hospital.<\/p>\n A WA government spokesperson said Bethesda was undertaking final due diligence before it formally takes over operations of the Mount Hospital by the end of next month, but was unaware of any planned shutdowns at the site.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile final due diligence and regulatory approvals are being finalised, the terms of the deal remain commercial in confidence,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been advised there will be no interruptions to services as part of the transition from Healthscope to Bethesda to maintain continuity for patients and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Mount](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/94ed741b5c4beea9ba993208060cf15eb673d44eb2d77e19bbffe019adac6d69.jpeg\")
Mount Hospital in Perth\u2019s CBD.Michael Philipps<\/p>\n![\"Healthscope](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1770671170_482_be7f6f457f95ba9a54f2e7efef7935cf4b7a4e88e0edfdbb923af2a08bc6fe2b.jpeg\")
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WA Premier Roger Cook, Treasurer Rita Saffioti, Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey and Health Minister Meredith Hammat with Bethesda Health Care Executive Director Neale Fong and Mount Hospital general manager Patrick Turner when the takeover deal was announced in May.Michael Philipps<\/p>\n
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