The hospital group’s acquisition of two hospitals in New South Wales has been condemned after it admitted that it will stop IVF, abortions, voluntary assisted dying and gender reassignment. 

In a move that will significantly disadvantage women, a major Australian hospital group has chosen religion over science. Calvary Care has confirmed that it will stop IVF, elective abortions, voluntary assisted dying (VAD), and gender reassignment procedures if it acquires two Newcastle-based private hospitals later this month.

The group, which operates 18 hospitals across the country, follows a Catholic code of ethics. Following the collapse of major provider Healthscope in May last year, Calvary indicated in September that it intends to acquire 14 of the 25 that remained, including Newcastle Private Hospital and Hunter Valley Private Hospital. 

The group admitted in a statement that “some services currently available at the two hospitals will not be offered by Calvary”. 

These include IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies, voluntary assisted dying, elective terminations of pregnancy, and gender reassignment procedures. Sterilisation and contraceptive procedures would also not be offered where fertility prevention is their sole purpose.

Calvary Health Care chief executive Damien Bruce said that the group was looking at other options for patients. 

“We recognise that changes to some services will have implications for clinicians and the patients they care for. We are having active discussions with local clinicians to understand those impacts and are committed to working with relevant healthcare providers to explore appropriate pathways for patients,” he said. 

Widespread anger 

The move has drawn widespread anger, condemnation and protests. 

“As a member of the LGBTQI+ community, I believe strongly that everyone deserves equal access to healthcare, regardless of their circumstances or the religious beliefs of a hospital operator,” wrote Newcastle Labor councillor and deputy lord mayor, Declan Clausen, in a formal submission to the New South Wales health body. 

A “Hands off our Healthcare” rally in Newcastle at the weekend drew hundreds of protesters and local groups. “We should all have access to the healthcare that we need. But faith-based health organisations limit that care,” said Amanda Cohn, spokesperson for the Australian Greens, on Instagram. 

Organisations across the country showed their disapproval too. 

“When established healthcare services are withdrawn, the impacts are felt by the people and communities who rely on them,” said Brisbane-based charity Children by Choice. 

“For people seeking abortion care, wanting to start or grow a family, and/or accessing gender-affirming healthcare, losing established local services can mean travelling further, facing additional costs and delays, and navigating an already stretched health system,” it continued. 

“We are deeply concerned about Calvary’s proposed takeover of Newcastle Private Hospital and Hunter Valley Private Hospital, which would result in a loss of all VAD services. We believe terminally ill patients should continue to have access to all lawful healthcare options, regardless of who owns their hospital,” said end-of-life charity Go Gentle Australia. 

There is clear frustration at the state level too. “We don’t decide what services a private hospital can and can’t and won’t be delivering,” Ryan Park, New South Wales minister for health, told ABC Newcastle Breakfast, though he added that he was looking into how gaps in coverage could be filled. 

The sale of the two hospitals is still subject to regulatory approvals, including the transfer of a state government-issued hospital licence and a view from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.