Healthscope Ltd executives spent the weekend considering the surprise $1.74 billion takeover offer it received from a private equity consortium.

Directors of the hospital, pathology laboratory, and collection centre operator reportedly met last night to discuss the indicative, non-binding and confidential proposal to acquire all of the company's shares by scheme of arrangement for $5.50 a share.

On Friday, Healthscope's share price surged more than 17% to a two-year high of $5.28 on the news.

It was reported that US-based Carlyle Group LP and TPG Capital (formerly Texas Pacific Group) have joined forces to bid for Healthscope Ltd. Healthscope has yet to reveal the bidder.

Analysts backed the proposed takeover bid. Deutsche Bank analyst David Low said it was an attractive offer and recommended shareholders to accept the offer.

An analyst from JPMorgan said the potential new owner could sell some property to pay for growth or reduce debt.

UBS analyst Andrew Goodsall said the private-equity offer appeared to present good value. He said Healthscope's pathology business would be reasonably easy to sell, as would some of the company's properties.

Some investors have baulked at the offer, saying that an offer closer to $5.75 or even $6 would be fair value. The private equity consortium is offering $5.50 per share.

Healthscope said it has not formed a view with respect to the proposal and recommended shareholders take no further action at this time.

The deal requires the support of at least 50 per cent of shareholders, accounting for at least 75 per cent of voting rights.