Australia's Healthscope profit up 14 pct

MELBOURNE, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Australian private hospital operator Healthscope Ltd (HSP.AX) reported a 14 percent rise in full-year net profit before items on Thursday, helped by improvements in its medical testing business and acquisitions.

Net profit before items was A$74.9 million for the year to June 30, from A$65.7 million a year earlier.

Net profit after items fell 23 percent to A$64.4 million.

Healthscope will pay a final dividend of 10 cents.

Healthscope bought New Zealand Diagnostics Group and NM&IG medical clinics late last year,

An industry source close said last month a private equity player is considering making a bid for Healthscope. There have also been separate media reports that U.S. investment group KKR was eyeing a debt-funded bid for Healthscope.

Healthscope shares have been hit as investors worry that a government proposal, which has yet to be passed by parliament, will result in fewer people buying private health insurance.

The stock, which traded above A$5.50 in April, closed Wednesday at $4.35.

($1=A$1.15)

(Reporting by Miranda Maxwell)