PureHealth is expanding its UK healthcare operations by taking over selected laboratory operations from Unilabs Limited, giving Circle Health Group direct access to an integrated diagnostics platform across Britain. The move brings pathology, blood sciences and specialist diagnostic capacity in house for a hospital network that had previously relied on third-party laboratory providers. 

The agreement covers two dedicated hub laboratories in Euston and Cavendish Square in London, supported by a network of fully licensed laboratories across the UK, according to Gulf News. The network already serves more than 90 external healthcare clients, alongside Circle's own base of more than 50 hospitals.

The network provides pathology, histopathology, blood sciences, microbiology and specialist diagnostic services, giving the laboratory operation an existing base of clinical activity from the outset, with additional eligible volumes expected to transition over time.

"As we scale these capabilities internationally, we are also creating opportunities to bring global experience, innovation and clinical insights back into our ecosystem, supporting the continued advancement of care for communities in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE," said Shaista Asif, group chief executive officer of PureHealth. "At the same time, our international growth is expanding the contribution of overseas markets to our business, diversifying our revenue base and creating sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders."

The UK expansion builds on PureLab, PureHealth's laboratory business in the UAE, which manages more than 150 laboratories and processes over 25 million tests a year using automation and AI-enabled diagnostics, with that operational and technological expertise set to support the new UK platform.

Circle Health Group, the UK's largest private hospital operator, was acquired by PureHealth from Centene Corporation for $1.2 billion in a deal completed in January 2024, marking PureHealth's first entry into the UK market.

The structural driver behind the deal is PureHealth's push to bring diagnostics closer to its hospital operations, giving the group greater oversight of quality, capacity and turnaround times while allowing laboratory specialists and clinicians to work more closely across the patient journey.

For the sector, the move confirms that international healthcare investors are integrating diagnostics directly into acquired hospital networks rather than continuing to outsource laboratory services.

Source: gulfnews.com / thenationalnews.com