| Mon 14 Aug 2006, 7:30 | | Netcare Preferred Bidder for three 5-Year NHS Cont |
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NTC
NTC
Netcare Preferred Bidder for three 5-Year NHS Contracts
Network Healthcare Holdings Limited
(Registration number 1996/008242/06)
Code: NTC
ISIN number: ZAE000011953
("Netcare" or "the Group")
NETCARE PREFERRED BIDDER FOR THREE 5-YEAR NHS CONTRACTS
Netcare has been awarded preferred bidder status for three 5-year National
Health Service ("NHS") contracts in the United Kingdom.
In May 2006 the Netcare Group acquired a controlling interest in the leading
private hospital operator in the United Kingdom ("UK"), General Healthcare Group
Limited ("GHG"). GHG is the leading provider of private acute care in the UK,
with a national network of 49 hospitals. Amicus, GHG"s NHS division, was merged
with Netcare UK, Netcare"s subsidiary in the UK that contracts with the NHS to
provide healthcare services.
INDEPENDENT SECTOR TREATMENT CENTRES PROGRAMME ("ISTC")
Cumbria and Lancashire Capture Assess and Treatment Scheme (CATS)
This contract is one of 24 projects which form part of Wave 2 of the NHS"s ISTC
Programme. The entire Wave 2 Programme is valued at approximately GBP2.5 billion
over five years.
This contract entails the delivery of approximately 220,000 outpatient,
diagnostic and minor surgical and non-surgical treatments in seven locations
including Carlisle, Preston, Fylde Coast, Ulveston, Pendle, Ormskirk and
Workington. As part of the preparation and implementation phases, sites have
been selected in these locations to ensure that the vast majority of patients
will be able to access a centre within 45 minutes. These centres are planned to
be open between five and seven days per week depending on local demand.
In line with assisting the NHS in meeting its 18-week waiting list target by
2008, and through working closely with the local NHS organisations, Netcare"s
medical and specialist clinical staff will assess patients" needs on referral.
This will entail using MRI and CT scans when required to enable appropriate,
safe, high quality diagnostic assessment and, if required, prepare patients for
surgery. This contract is expected to commence during the second quarter of
2007.
RADIOLOGY DIAGNOSTIC SCHEMES
London Diagnostic Services and Eastern Regions Diagnostic Services
These contracts are two of seven contracts falling within the NHS"s Diagnostics
Programme. The entire Diagnostics Programme is worth approximately GBP1 billion
over five years. Amicus InHealth, a joint venture between the InHealth Group, a
United Kingdom ("UK") based diagnostic imaging company and Amicus, now Netcare
UK, has been awarded preferred bidder status by the UK Department of Health to
deliver a wide range of diagnostic radiology services in London and the Eastern
Regions commencing in April 2007.
The services will include tests using MRI, CT, X-Ray, Ultrasound and Endoscopy
from over ninety-six convenient locations as part of an initiative whereby
Amicus InHealth will focus on working with the local NHS organisations to
shorten waiting times for thousands of patients. Many of the locations are in or
adjacent to existing "centres of excellence" maintaining the highest quality of
care while widening access and increasing capacity.
Netcare UK continues to tender for further NHS contracts as part of Wave 2 of
the ISTC Programme.
- ENDS -
Johannesburg
11 August 2006
Sponsor
Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Limited
Date: 14/08/2006 07:30:04 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
