Co-location: let’s get the mix right

UNDER the co-location plan, a number of 100/150-bed commercially independent private hospitals will be built on the grounds of our larger public hospitals.

The intention is that beds in the public hospital will be freed up because private patients will no longer require public hospital care.

But it is unreasonable to expect a 150-bed private hospital to duplicate the functions of a large public hospital. The staffing levels required would make it financially non-viable, even if health insurance rises significantly.