The Commerce Commission has received a clearance application from Central Healthcare Operations Limited seeking clearance to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Aorangi Hospital Limited in Palmerston North. At present, Aorangi and Southern Cross Healthcare Limited operate the Crest Hospital in a joint venture. Crest is currently the only private hospital in Palmerston North. The proposed acquisition would give Central Healthcare a 50 percent shareholding.
Central Healthcare is owned by a group of shareholders associated with surgeons and other medical specialists that are practising in the Manawatū area. Many of these specialists currently practice at the Crest Hospital. Central Healthcare recently announced an intention to build a medical facility on Milson Line in Palmerston North. Southern Cross operates several private elective surgery hospitals across New Zealand, either directly or via joint ventures such as the joint venture that operates the Crest Hospital in Palmerston North.
The Commission's case register has a public version of the clearance application available to view now.
