ST JOHN of God Health Care has finalised the sale of its nuclear medicine and ultrasound practice to Ballarat-based Lake Imaging.
Final settlement is expected to take place in late February, ending months of uncertainty for staff at Ballarat, Geelong and Ocean Grove.
However, the general x-ray and CT service in Ballarat will continue to form part of St John of God Health Care.
St John of God Imaging employs about 70 staff in Ballarat, but only about 20 people will be affected by the sale.
St John of God Health Care marketing and public relations manager Fiona Athersmith said the majority of staff will be offered new jobs by Lake Imaging.
She said staff would be offered positions on existing terms and conditions with no loss of benefits.
"At this stage, there are about five positions that are potentially redundant across Geelong and Ballarat," Ms Athersmith said.
"However, we will continue to work hard, between now and settlement, to minimise this number.
"Any staff member whose position is redundant will be given the notice required under either their contract or applicable award.
"Staff members will also be offered appropriate career and financial counselling."
Lake Imaging says it was delighted to purchase St John of God's nuclear medicine and ultrasound practices in Ballarat and Geelong after an extensive search.
Lake Imaging partner Craig Lightfoot met hospital staff on Thursday night, with letters of offer expected to be sent out shortly.
"The transfer to Lake Imaging of the nuclear medicine and ultrasound department in Ballarat and the imaging business in Geelong means patients have access to the very best and latest technologies and procedures," Mr Lightfoot
said.
By late February, Mr Lightfoot said a network of 14 practices in Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne will trade as Lake Imaging.
Services provided by Lake Imaging are used in the diagnosis and monitoring of a wide variety of conditions such as pregnancy, sports injuries, cancers, cardio-vascular disorders, and measuring bone density.