Netcare, South Africa's largest private hospital group, entered 17-year concession agreements with the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health to equip and maintain two facilities that co-locate public and private hospitals. Together, Port Alfred Hospital and Settlers Hospital have 140 public beds and 60 private beds.
Settlers Hospital in Grahamstown, the larger of the two, is a 100-year old facility. Netcare had to renovate and refurbish the hospital, add a new wing and upgrade the equipment. Netcare undertakes maintenance and provides all ancillary services (gardening, catering, laundry, etc) The government only employs clinical staff and pays Netcare a monthly fee for the space and services provided.
In Port Alfred, Netcare built and equipped a new hospital, which opened in January 2009 with 20 public beds and 30 private beds. As in the arrangement at Settlers Hospital, Netcare is responsible for maintenance and all soft services; and the government pays Netcare a monthly fee.
