Ramsay Health Care Limited - proposed acquisition of Bowral Day Surgery
Type of assessment
Informal Review
Reference
31295
Acquirer(s)
Ramsay Health Care Limited
Target(s)
Bowral Day Surgery
Industry
Health Care
Summary
Ramsay Health Care Limited (Ramsay) proposed to acquire the Bowral Day Surgery (BDS). Ramsay also owns the nearby Southern Highlands Private Hospital.
Outcome of assessment
Not opposed
Total review days *
14
Commenced public review
29th February 2008
Date completed
20th March 2008
Market definition
This proposed acquisition was assessed within the context of the following markets:
- the market for the supply of private day surgery services to health funds and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) in Bowral and the surrounding region; and
- the market for the supply of private day surgery services to patients (with specialists acting as agents) in Bowral and the surrounding region.
Competition analysis
On 20 March 2008, the ACCC formed the view that the proposed acquisition was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the relevant markets, on the basis that barriers to entry did not appear to be high in Bowral and the surrounding region, with evidence of planned entry, and there was limited overlap in the services provided by the BDS and the Southern Highlands Private Hospital.
Review timeline
Date
Event
29th February 2008
ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines.
7th March 2008
Closing date for submissions from interested parties.
20th March 2008
ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition.
* Total Review days = Total business days less public holidays and time during which the review was suspended.
