The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided not to oppose the proposed acquisition of Pulse Health
(ASX:PHG) by Australia’s third largest private hospital operator, Healthe Care Australia.
The competition watchdog focused its review of the proposed acquisition on the mid-North Coast region of NSW – where Healthe Care owns the Mayo Private Hospital in Taree, and Pulse Health operates the Forster Private Hospital.
The ACCC noted that the Mayo and Forster private hospitals are the only private hospitals in that region, but they don’t compete closely to attract doctors and patients.
The regulator also decided that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to significantly change Healthe Care’s bargaining position in its negotiations with health funds.
This morning, Pulse Health shares are trading flat at 46 cents.
