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External audit policy

Appointment

The Audit and Compliance Committee ("Committee") is responsible for making recommendations to the Group Board on the appointment, reappointment or replacement and remuneration of the external auditor as well as evaluating their effectiveness and independence. The Committee will review the appointment of the external auditor annually based on its assessment of the auditor's performance. The Committee is also responsible for monitoring (and if necessary approving) non-audit services performed by the external auditor.

Assessment of External Auditor

The Committee shall review the performance of the external auditors on an annual basis after completion of the year-end audit. In evaluating the effectiveness of external audit, the Committee will assess the effectiveness of the external auditor based on a number of criteria including but not restricted to:

• the overall comprehensiveness of the external audit plan;
• the timeliness and quality of communications promised under the plan and delivered during the audit;
• the competency and industry knowledge of external audit staff; and
• the adequacy of resources to achieve the scope as outlined in the plan.

The Committee will seek feedback from management during the assessment process.

Independence

The Committee shall review and assess the independence of the external auditor, including but not limited to any relationships with Symbion Health or any other entity that may impair or appearto impair the external auditor's judgement or independence in respect of Symbion Health. The reviewand assessment will be carried out annually at the time the external auditor presents its annual audit plan.

Prior to this review, the Committee will request a report from the external auditor which setsout all relationships that may affect their independence, including the provision of non-audit services, financial relationships, employment and other relationships, any other matters that may reasonably be thought to have bearing on the external auditors independence. The report should outline any safeguards that the external auditor has in place to reduce any threat to independence to an acceptable level.

Before Directors approve the half-year and full year accounts, the external auditor will be asked to provide a declaration testifying to their independence in respect of the financial yearin question. The external auditor will have a continuing obligation to notify the Committee via the Company Secretary of any new information they believe may be material to Symbion Health reviewing their independence.

The Committee has pre-determined the non-audit services that may be provided by the external auditor, those that may be provided with Committee approval and those services that are prohibited.

Rotation of External Audit Engagement Partner

The external audit  engagement partner is required to rotate at least once every 5 years.