THE private equity owners of hospital giant Healthscope are considering launching an initial public offer within the next six months, after the company posted an improved second-half performance across each of its businesses. Unveiling an 8 per cent rise in operating profit to $328 million for the previous financial year, Healthscope chairman Robert Cooke said the company was gaining significant momentum, with strong hospital revenue translating into stronger earnings growth and a robust pipeline of expansion projects.