Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

PureHealth, an Abu Dhabi based holding company and the largest healthcare platform in the Middle East, has signed an agreement to acquire Circle Health Group, UK’s largest independent operators of hospitals, in a deal valued at $1.2 billion.

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 - which is the Gulf Cooperation Council’s largest lab network; Rafed – Group Procurement Organisation; Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, which leads cutting edge stem cell research.

PureHealth is the largest healthcare group in the Middle East and 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. 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, leading them to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

The acquisition of Circle Health Group is PureHealth’s first entry into the UK. This acquisition 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% 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 and Centene Corporation’s Senior Advisor, Brent Layton and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Beau Garverick attended a signing ceremony, held in London to formalize the acquisition of Circle Health Group by PureHealth.

Commenting on the acquisition, Hammad Al Ameri, CEO & Managing Director of Alpha Dhabi Holding PJSC, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX: AlphaDhabi) said “This acquisition is a major milestone for our associate company, PureHealth Holding LLC, and we are confident that it will position us for continued growth and success”.

Farhan Malik, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth, said: “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 which revolutionizes 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, as the region’s largest healthcare group, 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.”

“Circle Health Group is an innovative healthcare organisation that has had a significant impact for the benefit of patients across the United Kingdom. We are confident that this business will continue to thrive – providing access to high-quality care and delivering improved clinical outcomes under the ownership of PureHealth,” said Centene Chief Executive Officer, Sarah London. “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 and driving over c.USD 1.3 billion in revenue and delivering exceptional healthcare and comprehensive health solutions.