Alarm over US private equity acquisition of NHS patient records provider
Critics argue the transfer of sensitive health data to a US investment firm occurred with insufficient scrutiny, citing concerns over TPG’s international track record and the need for stronger regulatory guardrails.
A US private equity firm has acquired Optum UK, the technology business underpinning the electronic patient record system used by the majority of general practitioners in England, in a transaction valued at approximately $400m (£300m). The deal, which sees TPG purchase the company from the New York-listed healthcare corporation UnitedHealth Group, has triggered significant alarm among doctors, MPs, and campaigners regarding the governance of sensitive health data.
Critics argue that the transfer of a company managing millions of NHS patient records to a private equity owner has proceeded with inadequate public scrutiny or parliamentary oversight. Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrats’ health spokesperson, described the arrangement as being rubber-stamped without sufficient protections for patients. She urged the government to cease handing sensitive NHS data to US tech firms and to begin backing British technology instead, warning that such practices leave public services dangerously exposed.
Concerns have been intensified by TPG’s controversial international track record. An investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists highlighted allegations that hospitals in Kenya, owned by Evercare—a group backed by TPG’s Rise Fund—pushed patients into poverty through excessive medical bills. Reports indicated that some patients were left with crippling debts and, in certain instances, required to provide land deeds as collateral for unpaid medical charges.
A spokesperson for TPG strongly disputed the characterisation of these allegations, stating that the firm had invested more than $100m in Evercare over six years, resulting in substantial gains in quality and patient rights. The firm maintained that any suggestion it prioritises profits over patients is incorrect and ignores the extensive clinical governance policies instituted. However, Anna Marriott, former Oxfam health policy lead, argued that private equity’s penetration of the health service is outpacing the regulatory guardrails necessary to protect the public interest.
The acquired business includes EMIS, whose software is utilised by more than half of GP practices in England. A spokesperson for EMIS confirmed that the acquisition was reviewed and approved under the National Security and Investment Act 2021. They asserted that assertions regarding TPG’s ability to access or utilise NHS patient records are entirely false, emphasising that data governance and security standards remain unchanged. The Department of Health and Social Care did not provide a comment on the matter.