HCA to fight Competition Commission hospital sale ruling

HCA International strongly contests Competition Commission (CC) plans to force sale of London Bridge Hospital and The Princess Grace Hospital, two of its world-class Hospitals, released today following their examination of the private hospitals market.

Mike Neeb, CEO and President of HCA International, responding to the CC decision, said: “The Competition Commission’s provisional recommendations are plainly wrong. The CC’s own report acknowledges there are nearly 50 competitors in Greater London, our ownership of these hospitals encourages competition and drives a higher standard of care among hospitals in the UK.”

“Thirteen years ago, we acquired the London Bridge Hospital in a merger specifically approved by the Office of Fair Trading. Since then we’ve invested millions, transforming it into one of the best providers of quality healthcare in the world and now the Competition Commission is punishing this success. The CC has misunderstood the market and is threatening unjustified and unfair remedies. To forcibly divest hospitals from successful healthcare organisations cannot be good for either patients or our economy.”

Neeb continued, “At HCA, we believe in putting our patients at the heart of everything we do. As a result, we have an unparalleled record of investing in world-class innovative care and a global reputation for excellence. In the past five years alone, HCA International has invested more than £200m into its UK hospitals and other facilities. We are the only private health provider in the UK to publish independently assessed clinical results across cancer care, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery and intensive care.”

Professor Sina Dorudi, a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and Medical Director at Princess Grace Hospital said of HCA “I have worked at The Princess Grace Hospital for 16 years. The continuous rolling investment made by HCA during this time has had a huge impact on the care of my patients undergoing complex surgery. Their re-investment into innovative technology and treatments is unparalleled within the UK”.

Any queries regarding HCA International’s response to the Competition Commission’s publications should be directed to the Brands2Life Press Office: 07949 504 396, hca@brands2life.com

Notes to editor:

For more information please contact the HCA Press Office: hca@brands2life.com or 07949 504 396

2012 patient surveys showed: 98% of HCA patients would recommend an HCA facility to their friends and family; 99% are happy with the quality of care and cleanliness of their treatment; and 99.6% said they were treated with dignity and respect.

HCA International hospitals provide care for more than 400,000 patients a year with an international reputation for the highest standards of complex care. HCA has invested more than half a billion pounds over the past ten years in its facilities, including a comprehensive range of the latest diagnostic and treatment technology. HCA is the only private provider to have ITU level 3 in all of its hospitals. For more information, visit www.hcahospitals.co.uk