Southern Cross to buy Auckland surgical centre

New Zealand's largest private healthcare provider Southern Cross is to buy the Auckland Surgical Centre in Newmarket.

The non-profit trust said today it had signed a conditional agreement to purchase the centre.

The centre is the country's largest privately owned day-stay facility. It has four operating theatres and 10 beds and has been operating in Auckland for over 17 years. It performs orthopaedic, plastic, gynaecological, oral, paediatric, breast, urology, and general surgery.

Official confirmation of the purchase was expected by late next month pending approval from the centre's current shareholders and Commerce Commission.

Southern Cross Hospitals chief operating officer Terry Moore said the centre was highly successful and efficient.

"We are delighted it will become part of the Southern Cross Hospital network," Mr Moore said in a statement.

He said there would be " no significant changes made" to the operation of the centre. "Essentially it will be business as usual".

Southern Cross already owns two hospitals in the Auckland region, Southern Cross Brightside Hospital and Southern Cross North Harbour Hospital. It also has a half share in Gillies Hospital.

In September last year the group announced a $43 million full year surplus.

The non-profit group has about 800,000 members.

- NZPA