UK Specialist Hospitals, which operates elective surgery centres for NHS funded patients, has been bought by Care UK for an undisclosed amount.
The newly-acquired business operates five treatment centres in the south west of England, which will now sit alongside the six Care UK centres in the London, Southampton, Portsmouth, Gillingham and Bradford.
Mike Parish, Care UK chief executive, says that both Care UK and UK Specialist Hospitals have a good track record of quality of care.
He adds, ‘By bringing our expertise and services together, we will be able to deliver the best patient experience in the most efficient way.
‘Increased numbers of patients will have quicker access to elective care, an extended range of services and reduced waiting times.
Colchester-based Care UK was founded in 1982 under the name Anglia Secure Homes. Until 2010 it was listed on the London Stock Exchange when private equity firm Bridgepoint became a major shareholder in the company through a deal worth €480 million.
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To coincide with the deal, Fiona Calnan, UK Specialist Hospitals’ CEO, will leave the business having run it for eight years.
Jon Weiner, former UK Specialist Hospitals chairman, comments, ‘Fiona [Calnan] has done an exceptional job as chief executive, in making UK Specialist Hospitals the success story it is today.’
Care UK’s managing director Health Care, Jim Easton, who joined the organisation earlier in February, says, ‘We are bringing together two strong and successful organisations. This will ensure that our people and facilities have the investment and support they need to meet the needs of patients and commissioners.
‘Working together we can share existing best practice and ensure future innovation and development.’
