The partnership was announced on Tuesday, March 31 by Minister for Health, Greg Hunt.

The move will see private hospitals, including overnight and day hospitals, integrate with state and territory health systems.

There are some 657 private and not-for-profit hospitals across the country and the agreements will ensure their viability in return for maintenance and capacity during the COVID-19 response.

Port Macquarie Private Hospital CEO Connie Porter said the hospital is ready to play its part.

"As government talks continue with the private sector, Port Macquarie Private Hospital is focusing locally on ensuring we are ready to play our part in addressing the effects of this virus in our region," Ms Porter said.

"Our goal is to make available our resources and capacity to assist with the impact of COVID-19 in whatever way is required over the coming weeks and months."

The private hospital is owned by Ramsay Health Care Australia. CEO Danny Sims says the federal government has recognised private hospitals can be of valuable assistance during this time.

"Ramsay Health Care welcomes the government's announcement to partner with the private hospital sector," he said.

"We now look forward to urgently finalising agreements with the state governments which will ensure the capacity and resources of the private hospital sector, including nurses, beds and equipment, can be appropriately utilised.

"While we face the unknown in terms of the extent of the impact of this virus, it is vital that all health providers work together, as one health system, to deliver the best care and treatment to patients within our communities.

"Australia is following the suit of other countries around the world where national governments have harnessed the capacity and experience of the private hospital sector during this crisis."

Mr Sims said its teams are willing to do whatever they can to support the government and the state in this time of need.

Mr Hunt said the partnership will strengthen the Australian COVID-19 response, and preserve the sector's capacity to resume hospital services after the epidemic.

"State and territory governments will also complete private hospital COVID-19 partnership agreements in the coming days.

"The private hospitals will be required to make infrastructure, essential equipment (including ventilators), supplies (including PPE), workforce and additional resources fully available to the state and territory hospital system or the Australian government.

"They will also continue to support the needs of long-stay public hospital National Disability Insurance Scheme participants, and aged care patients and general needs patients."

Mr Hunt described the partnership as "a landmark decision".

The deal would see government underwriting the future of the private hospital sector to:

Ensure health network capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provide workforce retention that includes medical, nursing, clinical and ancillary staff to preserve the private hospital sector.

Allow activities such as non-urgent elective surgery to resume and accelerate at the appropriate time, once the COVID-19 pandemic recedes.

"Our government recognises the fundamental role of our medical and nursing staff and this agreement further strengthens our health system.

"It gives us the capacity to respond to COVID-19 now, and the ability to preserve our hospital network for our nation's health needs once we emerge from the crisis."

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