Newy 87.8 FM – A "Hands Off Our Healthcare" rally will be held at Civic Park, Newcastle, from noon on Sunday 8 November 2026, opposing service cuts under Calvary Health Care's planned takeover of two private hospitals.
The rally concerns Calvary's planned acquisition of Newcastle Private Hospital at New Lambton Heights and Hunter Valley Private Hospital at Shortland.
In a media release on 5 November, Calvary said IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies, voluntary assisted dying, elective terminations of pregnancy and gender reassignment procedures will not be offered.
Sterilisation and contraceptive procedures will also not be offered where preventing fertility is their sole purpose.
Calvary says most services will continue, and that its approach follows the Code of Ethical Standards for Catholic Health and Aged Care Services in Australia.
According to the Newcastle Herald and Newcastle Live, the rally is organised by Hunter Workers, the Newcastle-based peak union body.
Organisers are calling for any licence transfer to guarantee patients keep the same lawful healthcare they have now, and say the transfer should not be approved if that cannot be guaranteed.
Newcastle Live reports the event will run from 12pm to 1.30pm and is free and open to the public.
NSW Health invited written submissions on the licence transfer applications for both hospitals, closing at 11:59pm on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
Both consultations have closed, and NSW Health will consider the feedback when deciding on the transfers.
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