Major banks offer Healthscope financial lifeline after collapsing into receivership

Two major banks have offered a financial lifeline to keep almost 40 private hospitals operating after their owner went into receivership.

Healthscope operates multiple hospitals across the country, but its desperate financial position is of particular concern in Hobart and Darwin, where there are few other private options.

The company was placed into receivership with debts of around $1.5 billion.

The Commonwealth Bank has offered a $100 million lifeline to keep the private hospitals running.