Women going through IVF are worried about what Calvary Health Care's takeover of two private hospitals in Newcastle means for their care.
The Catholic provider has confirmed it will not allow IVF, elective abortions, voluntary assisted dying or gender reassignment surgeries for religious reasons if its takeover bid is successful.
The sale is still subject to a NSW government-issued hospital licence and a ruling by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Hayley Denniss always wanted to start a family, but being single and living with three chronic health conditions has not made the process easy.
On October 29, about four years after she began her "gruelling" IVF journey, Ms Denniss went through her third egg collection at Newcastle Private Hospital.
Moments before she was due to be anaesthetised for the procedure, she was told the future of IVF services at the hospital was in doubt.
"The nurse said to me, 'I'm not sure what you're going to do after this, because Calvary don't believe in IVF,'" Ms Denniss said.
Catholic provider Calvary Health Care is hoping to take over 14 hospitals across the country by the end of the month, after embattled provider Healthscope went into receivership last year.
Six of those are in NSW, including the Newcastle and Hunter Valley private hospitals.
