Independent healthcare provider Nuffield Health is to expand its footprint north of the border with the acquisition of an Edinburgh private hospital.

The organisation says it has completed its purchase of the Edinburgh Clinic, adding to its existing estate of one Glasgow hospital and nine fitness centres across Scotland.

CEO Steve Gray said the new facility would help meet “rising demand” for health services.

It follows BMI Healthcare’s announcement of a new £20m private hospital in Glasgow.

Just last week a ‘lessons learned’ review commissioned by the government suggested ministers should “consider the impact of non-NHS involvement on addressing backlogs of care” after the pandemic.

Private hospital groups received millions from the Scottish government as part of a covid deal that allowed the most important procedures to go ahead.

Before the pandemic the government had instructed NHS boards to use private hospitals to bring down waiting times.

Nuffield Health’s purchase is part of the acquisition of four other hospitals in London and Essex from Aspen Healthcare.

The Edinburgh Clinic is a private diagnostic and day surgery hospital, founded in 2008, that offers a range of surgical and diagnostic facilities.

Nuffield Health’s Steve Gray said: “This strategic acquisition will improve our representation in local communities nearby Edinburgh and across the East Coast of Scotland, connecting up our hospital and fitness and wellbeing services.  This will enable us to support more people in these communities to live healthily, get better and stay well.”

“We’re in a unique position as the UK’s largest healthcare charity - with a strong purpose and connected health offering – to meet the rising demand for healthcare services.”

Rob Anderson, CEO of Aspen Healthcare, added: “This agreement with Nuffield Health will ensure a stable and secure future for Aspen’s hospitals and will allow our talented team to continue the great work that they do.”

Read more: Government reveals new private hospital contract costs; Fears over forgotten diagnostic test backlog; Growing radiologist shortfall risk to patients.

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