Spire Healthcare sells a hospital to NHS trust

Spire Healthcare Group has sold its leasehold hospital Spire Tunbridge Wells to the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust for £9.975m. 

For around six months after the transaction it will manage the unit on behalf of the trust, continuing to provide treatment to both private and NHS patients.

Spire Tunbridge Wells, rated ‘good’ by the CQC, comprises 28 beds, ten consulting rooms for the 130 consultants operating at the hospital, two operating theatres and an endoscopy suite. 

In 2023, the hospital generated revenue of £12.7m and earnings before tax of £1.1m. Leasehold rent incurred during the period was £0.4m and net cash generation, excluding working capital movements, was £0.7m. Capital expenditure in the year was £0.4m.

The group said it remained committed to growth and took ‘a consistent and proactive approach to portfolio management’. It now operates 38 hospitals –19 freehold and 19 leasehold properties.

• See PPU Watch story: ‘Which NHS trust will buy a private hospital next?’