Virgin returns to healthcare

Released 03/03/2010

Acquisition of Assura marks return of red giant to primary care

Virgin Healthcare has returned to the primary care market after buying a majority shareholding in Assura Medical Limited, which operates a number of GP Cos - healthcare provider organisations formed in partnership with GPs which run polyclinics and GP-led health centres across the country.

Patrick McCall, managing partner Health & Wellness, Virgin Group, said: "Healthcare is a sector that the Virgin Group has been extremely interested in entering for some time but we have always said that the partner and the timing had to be right - with Assura we believe we have found the perfect partner. We are very pleased to have worked with Quayle Munro on this transaction."

Andreas Wesemann, managing director at Quayle Munro, which advised on the acquisition, commented: " Virgin Healthcare is ideally positioned to take advantage of the shake-up of healthcare provision in the UK as patients and commissioners seek better, more flexible and cost-effective treatment. Virgin has a strong record of providing high-quality customer service, and we are confident that it will develop into a major force in the UK healthcare sector in coming years."

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