Private health care provider Healthscope Limited (ASX: HSP) faces another threat, but this time it is from competing hospitals.

Several private hospital and pathology operators were reported to have approached Healthscope's medical specialists. Competing hospitals have cited clauses linked to ownership changes and possible uncertainty linked with working for a foreign-owned outfit in trying to lure medical professionals to make the shift.

According to Healthscope managing director Bruce Dixon, he would “be disappointed if they (competing hospitals) hadn't” tried to attract his staff. Dixon said, “The doctors' reaction has been surprising. There hasn't been one negative out there and I think that's because we're quite close to our doctors.”

Dixon emphasized, “The business has been very stable, nothing has changed.” The managing director and his management team will remain with Healthscope when Asia Pacific Healthcare Group takes hold of the company on October 12.

Dixon also said Healthscope's capital spending program would be brought forward from a five-year to three-year plan in order to rapidly increase the number of beds and facilities at the company's 44 existing hospitals.

The new owners is a joint-venture between US private equity firms Carlyle Group and TPG Capital. The Victorian Supreme Court is expected to approve the takeover on Friday.