Healthscope Staff Headhunted

Private health care provider, Healthscope (ASX:HSP) have had competing healthcare companies attempting to headhunt staff from the company. HSP is a takeover target, with shareholders voting in favour of the $2.7 billion deal with Asia Pacific Healthcare Group, a joint-venture between US private equity firms Carlyle Group and TPG Capital – which will assume control of the company on October 12. The takeover is due to come before the Victorian Supreme Court for final approval on Friday.

Primary Health Care, as well as other several private hospital and pathology operators, have been making approaches to Healthscope's medical specialists: with the angle that ownership changes may lead to potential uncertainty associated with working for a foreign-owned company.

Healthscope managing director Bruce Dixon, had said that he would “be disappointed if they [competing hospital]) hadn't" tried to attract his staff. Dixon said, “The doctors' reaction has been surprising. There hasn't been one negative out there and I think that's because we're quite close to our doctors." Dixon and his management team will remain with Healthscope when Asia Pacific Healthcare Group takes over.