Three key management staff of Prince Court Medical Centre have been asked to go on leave pending the outcome of an audit review.
Three key management staff, including the chief executive officer (CEO) of internationally accredited private healthcare facility Prince Court Medical Centre (PCMC), has been asked to go on leave pending the outcome of an audit review.
PCMC is owned by Petronas Hartabina Sdn Bhd, a unit of state-owned oil company Petroliam National Bhd (Petronas), and managed by Vamed Healthcare Services Sdn Bhd and its partner, the Medical University of Vienna International Hospital Operations GmbH.
"Interim changes to key personnel of the Prince Court Medical Centre have been effected on June 22 2010. These changes were required pursuant to a routine audit review," PCMC said in a statement issued in response to Business Times' queries on recent developments involving the hospital's management.
"It is the opinion of the hospital that, in the interest of objectivity, the chief executive officer, the chief medical officer and the legal adviser be requested to proceed on leave to enable the process to be concluded satisfactorily. The persons concerned have fully cooperated with these requirements."
The changes have not in any way affected the day-to-day operations of the hospital or the level of patient care. Interim personnel had immediately taken over the relevant functions, it added.
"It has always been our aim to provide and promote superior care and expertise, and this will continue. The hospital continues to receive the full and uncompromising support of its operator and we look forward to staying on track in the delivery of our services and commitments," PCMC said.
Business Times has not been able to reach PCMC CEO Stuart Rowley, who is also listed as a director of Petronas Hartabina since 2005.
It is believed that Vamed Healthcare Services managing director Stuart Pack has stepped in to take over some responsibilities and will stay on until the audit is completed.
Sources said that hospital staff were briefed on developments last Thursday and will again be addressed tomorrow to explain the situation and ensure continued smooth operations at the hospital.
It is also understood that the hospital has been experiencing a high turnover of staff in recent months.
PCMC had been a subject of much discussion since its opening in late 2007 over the lavish amount spent to build and equip it.
While the official price tag for the 300-bed hospital is reported as RM544 million, many say that the price has crossed the RM1 billion mark, including for the leasehold land (for current and future development) and equipment.
In an interview with Business Times in May 2008, the CEO said that he expected the hospital to be operationally profitable by the end of the second year and to achieve net profit in eight years.
Last year, it was reported that the hospital, which focuses particularly on health tourism, was looking to achieve RM120 million sales in the financial ear ended March 31 2010.
A check with the Companies Commission of Malaysia revealed that in the financial year ended March 31 2009, the hospital posted a loss before tax of RM203.25 million on the back of RM24.12 million in revenue.
Results for the financial year ended March 31 2010 were not available.
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