Narayana Health enters UK, acquires Practice Plus Group; with Rs 2.2K-cr buy, company among India’s top 3 healthcare providers

BENGALURU: Narayana Health has acquired UK-based Practice Plus Group Hospitals for Rs 2,200 crore, marking its entry into the UK healthcare market. The acquisition expands Narayana Health’s global footprint, positioning the company among India’s top three healthcare providers by revenue.Narayana Health operates a comprehensive network of primary, secondary, and super-specialty tertiary-care facilities across India and the Caribbean.Practice Plus Group operates 12 hospitals and surgical centres specialising in orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and general surgery. It is the fifth-largest private hospital group in the UK, performing around 80,000 surgeries annually.The acquisition gives Narayana Health access to a mature UK healthcare market that is increasingly shifting toward day-care procedures and seeing rising private-pay participation. Demand for surgeries — particularly in the private sector — is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.Dr Devi Shetty, founder and chairman of Narayana Health, said, “Like Narayana Health, Practice Plus Group recognised that many patients were struggling to access healthcare, while only a minority could afford costly private healthcare. We have both been working to meet the demands of those in between and to offer a new choice of more accessible private healthcare.”He told TOI, “We realise our strength lies in managing volumes. We built a digital platform with 50 software engineers developing AI tools, and we are leveraging AI to enhance the customer experience.”

With 2.2K-Cr Buy, Co Among India’s Top 3 Healthcare Providers

Narayana Health employs 18,822 professionals, including 3,868 doctors and specialists, across its network.Jim Easton, chief executive of Practice Plus Group, said, “Dr Shetty and Narayana Health have an enviable reputation for high-quality, efficient healthcare with a human touch. I’m excited about what Practice Plus Group’s hospitals and surgical centres can achieve with the commitment and expertise of Narayana Health behind us.”With this integration, Narayana Health aims to bring Practice Plus Group’s hospital division into its ecosystem, leveraging its strong technology foundation to drive innovation and long-term value creation for patients, and stakeholders.Practice Plus Group reported 12% year-on-year growth over the past five years. It’s owned by Bridgepoint, a global private markets growth investor managing $86 billion in assets.