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About Ramsay

Paul Ramsay AO (1936-2014)

Paul Ramsay was a leading Australian businessman and philanthropist.

In 1964, Paul opened Ramsay Health Care's first hospital. He converted a guest house in Sydney, Australia (called Warrina House) into a 16-bed private psychiatric hospital.

In 1978, Paul expanded the business into mainstream surgical hospitals and, in the decades since, Ramsay Health Care has grown and evolved into one of the most diverse healthcare companies in the world.

In 1997, Ramsay Health Care Limited successfully listed on the Australian Stock Exchange [ASX:RHC]. 

Paul remained chairman of the company until his death in 2014, when he bequeathed $3 billion to establish the Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF), now one of Australia’s largest charitable organisations.

PRF is a philanthropic foundation. It works for a future where people and places have what they need to thrive. PRF invests in, builds and influence the conditions needed to stop disadvantage in Australia.

PRF grants are funded from the dividends of its Ramsay Health Care shareholding. To date it has allocated around $1 billion to more than 200 partners and invested $140 million in a portfolio of impact investments.

Paul Ramsay is remembered by friends, family, colleagues and employees as a true gentleman and a proud but humble Australian.

Read more about Paul's legacy and the foundation.


In 2024, Ramsay is celebrating 60 years of caring and a bright future as we grow and transform to best serve our patients.

Ramsay Health Care is known for its excellent hospitals and clinics, providing a wide range of integrated health services and outstanding patient care.

Every year, millions of patients trust Ramsay to provide safe, high quality healthcare in Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom.

Eo_circle_light-blue_checkmark.svg World class hospital network

Eo_circle_light-blue_checkmark.svg Modern day surgeries

Eo_circle_light-blue_checkmark.svg Primary care and specialist clinics

Eo_circle_light-blue_checkmark.svg Diagnostics and imaging centres

Eo_circle_light-blue_checkmark.svg Mental health hospitals and residential settings

Eo_circle_light-blue_checkmark.svg Psychology clinics

Eo_circle_light-blue_checkmark.svg Rehabilitation services

Eo_circle_light-blue_checkmark.svg Community pharmacies

Eo_circle_light-blue_checkmark.svg At-home, in-community, virtual and telehealth services.

Find a Ramsay service or facilty near you. 

1964
Paul Ramsay converted a guesthouse in Sydney,
Australia into a 16-bed
psychiatric hospital.
This service was later
moved to a purpose-built
facility and Warrina House
is now a private home.
1978 - 2006
Ramsay diversified into medical and surgical facilities and expanded its psychiatric sites. Building and acquiring new sites across the country made Ramsay the largest private hospital operator in Australia. In 1997, Ramsay became a public company on the Australian Stock Exchange.
2007
Ramsay acquired a private hospital business in the UK.
2010
Established the Ramsay Santé joint venture in France.
2013
Established the Ramsay Sime Darby joint venture in Asia.
2015
Ramsay Santé acquired Générale de Santé, putting Ramsay in the top five private hospital operators in the world.
2018
Ramsay Santé acquired the Scandinavian healthcare operator Capio AB.
2022
Ramsay acquired Elysium Healthcare in the UK.
2022
Ramsay Santé acquired GHP Specialty Care in Sweden.
2023
Completed sale of 50:50 joint venture in Asia, Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care.
“I always said you’ve got to look after the patient and be the best at that and, if you look after the patient, then everything else will follow.”

Paul Ramsay AO

Founder and Chairman