UAE’s PureHealth has made its first entry into the United Kingdom following an agreement to acquire Circle Health Group, the UK’s largest independent operator of hospitals, for AED4.7bn ($1.3bn).
PureHealth is the largest healthcare group in the Middle East and its portfolio includes SEHA – Abu Dhabi Health Services Company; Daman – Nation Health Insurance Co.; PureLab; Rafed – Group Procurement Organisation and Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre.
The acquisition of Circle Health Group forms part of PureHealth’s global expansion programme. In May this year, the group announced it had taken a minority stake worth $490m in Ardent Health Services, a US healthcare provider.
PureHealth acquires UK company
Circle Health Group offers the 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.
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 hospitals that Circle has recently focused on building.
Farhan Malik, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth, said while attending the signing ceremony: “We are delighted to welcome Circle Health Group into the PureHealth family.
“This acquisition marks an important milestone in our journey towards creating a global healthcare network that revolutionises patient care.
“Our mission at PureHealth is to drive scientific innovation to unlock longevity and greater quality of life for humankind. 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.”
Hammad Al Ameri, CEO and Managing Director of Alpha Dhabi Holding, said: “This acquisition is a major milestone for our associate company, PureHealth Holding, and we are confident that it will position us for continued growth and success.”
Circle Health Group has more than 8,200 employees and 6,500 consultants, working in more than 60 specialties, in more than 50 hospitals across the UK.
It gets more than two million visits per annum and driving over AED4.7bn ($1.3bn) in revenue.
Sarah London, CEO of Centene Corporation, added: “We are confident that the healthcare business will continue to thrive – providing access to high-quality care and delivering improved clinical outcomes under the ownership of Pure Health.
“This transaction marks another milestone in our portfolio review and showcases continued momentum against our value creation plan.”
Circle Health Group was founded in 2004 and the group has grown through acquiring BMI Healthcare. In 2022, it was named Private Hospital Group of the Year and one of the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For.
The group has been recognised as the UK’s most innovative and technologically advanced hospital provider due to the significant investments made in the use of in robotics, AI, fully digital pathways and online booking services.
With a network of over 25 hospitals, health insurance, more than 160 laboratories, more than 100 clinics and a workforce of more than 24,000 employees, PureHealth is the largest integrated healthcare group in the Middle East region.
Follow us on
