Sunshine Private Hospital in Melbourne’s West Enters Voluntary Administration, Patients Relocated

Sunshine Private Hospital in Melbourne‘s west, operated by Unitas Healthcare, has made the decision to enter voluntary administration after only 14 months of operation, leaving patients and staff in disarray.

The announcement of the hospital’s closure was made by Wexted Advisors, citing a lack of available funding to sustain operations. As a result, surgeries have been canceled, and patients are being relocated to alternative healthcare facilities.

The 51-bed Sunshine Private Hospital, which prided itself on being Australia’s first fully electric private hospital, was inaugurated in March 2023 by St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman.

Responding to the closure, the Department of Health and Aged Care emphasized that the ultimate decision rested with the company and encouraged patients to engage directly with their healthcare providers for guidance.

Fertility specialist Gareth Weston, who previously worked at the hospital, lamented the abrupt closure, highlighting that staff received minimal notice ahead of the shutdown announcement.

Dr. Weston expressed belief that the hospital’s financial woes, rather than issues with care quality, drove the closure decision. He noted that the closure may have been hastened due to an inability to turn a profit in the area.

Notably, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s secretary, Lisa Fitzpatrick, raised concerns over the closure, criticizing private health insurance companies for purportedly failing to sustain hospital operations despite lucrative profits.

Operated under a 30-year lease by Melbourne-based Unitas Healthcare, Sunshine Private Hospital’s closure contrasts with the continued operation of other businesses within the Sunshine Private Health hub, owned by Australian Unity.