Two private hospitals in Geelong and Kew are to be shut down within a month, putting more than 400 jobs at risk, after operator Healthscope announced it was no longer viable to keep them running.

Geelong Private Hospital – formerly known as Baxter House – and Cotham Private Hospital in Kew will be both be closed gradually over the next four weeks, leading to the loss of 417 jobs across the two institutions.

Healthscope has decided that the hospitals aren't 'viable'. Credit:Reuters

Employees were made aware of the closures on Tuesday. The company has promised to try and redeploy staff to other Healthscope facilities where possible.

"We are aware that this will be a very difficult time for our staff and we are working proactively with them to explore redeployment and relocation opportunities at other Healthscope locations," chief executive Gordon Ballantyne said in a statement.