Cancer patients compulsorily transferred to a private hospital have been told they will now be charged a fee for their treatment, and will no longer be eligible to bulk-bill for tests and consultations.

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital outsourced many of its cancer services to the not-for-profit private hospital Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in 2013, under an agreement with the NSW government.

The Sydney Local Health District buys the treatment of public patients from the Lifehouse, which also treats private patients.

But gynaecology patients of the Lifehouse were told in April they would no longer be able to bulk-bill their treatment unless they had a pension or health care card, and would have to pay for the services they received on the day.