UAE’s PureHealth acquires the UK’s Largest Private Healthcare Group for $1.2 billion
PureHealth, an Abu Dhabi based holding company and the largest healthcare platform in the Middle East, has signed an agreement to acquire, UK’s largest independent operators of hospitals, in a deal valued at $1.2 billion. This acquisition underlines PureHealth’s commitment to delivering world-class medical care to patients globally, as well as developing new clinical care pathways made up of the best healthcare providers to meet patient needs.
Circle Health Group joins a roster of world-class healthcare providers that make up PureHealth companies, including SEHA (Abu Dhabi Health Services Company); Daman (Nation Health Insurance Co.); PureLab; Rafed; and Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre.
PureHealth aims to invest in scientific innovation and healthcare infrastructure within all its assets, including Circle Health Group, giving access to patients around the world to the best possible medical care with the highest international quality standards.
The acquisition of Circle Health Group is PureHealth’s first entry into the UK. It forms part of PureHealth’s global expansion programme, which includes acquisitions previously completed in the USA, as well as entry in other international markets. Patients in the UAE and the UK will benefit from PureHealth’s acquisition, both through the diversity of choice in healthcare provision, expanded network of medical professionals and expertise combined with knowledge sharing that will be developed.
Circle Health Group offers UK’s largest national network of private hospitals. It also offers innovative neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation services and pathway management services and is the first European healthcare provider to enter the Chinese market. In 2019 Centene Corporation, a leading US healthcare enterprise and Fortune 500 company, invested in Circle Health Group and acquired the remaining equity interests in July 2021.
As part of the strategic acquisition, PureHealth will gain 100 percent of Circle Health Group’s portfolio, which includes specialties such as Orthopaedics, Oncology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Neurosurgery and General Surgery, as well as the new state-of-the-art hospitals that Circle Health Group has recently focused on building, including the UK’s first purpose-built state-of-the-art rehabilitation hospital.
Farhan Malik, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth, said, “This acquisition marks an important milestone in our journey towards creating a global healthcare network which revolutionizes patient care. Through integrating the expertise of both organisations, we positively impact the lives of patients globally. PureHealth is well-positioned to make significant contributions to the improvement of healthcare systems and access to world-class medical services in the UAE and beyond.”
Centene Chief Executive Officer, Sarah London, feels confident that this business will continue to thrive – providing access to high-quality care and delivering improved clinical outcomes under the ownership of PureHealth, adding, “This transaction marks another milestone in our portfolio review and showcases continued momentum against our value creation plan.”
Circle Health Group comprises over 8,200 dedicated employees and 6,500 consultants, working in over 60 specialties, in over 50 hospitals across the UK and over 150 theatres, with more than two million visits per annum, delivering exceptional healthcare and comprehensive health solutions.
This acquisition has the potential to deliver wide-ranging benefits to the UAE’s and the UK’s healthcare ecosystem. These benefits include the expansion of clinical knowledge and delivery of new medical techniques through enhanced collaboration between medical professionals, as well as the use of cutting-edge technologies and provision of broadened treatment options for patients in the UAE. Additionally, the acquisition underlines the UAE’s increasing position as a global pioneer in the provision of world-class healthcare.
