Alarm at NHS patient records being put under control of US private equity firm
Summary
A US private equity firm, TPG, has bought Optum UK, the company that manages electronic patient records for most GP practices in England, for about $400 million. This has raised concerns about sensitive NHS patient data being controlled by a private company without much public oversight.Key Facts
- TPG, a US investment firm, bought Optum UK, which controls the electronic patient record system used by most English GP practices.
- The deal is worth approximately $400 million (£300 million).
- Optum UK manages the electronic health records of millions of NHS patients.
- Doctors, campaigners, MPs, and human rights groups say the sale happened with little public scrutiny.
- Critics worry about patient privacy and data security under private equity ownership.
- TPG has faced previous criticism over hospitals it backs in Africa, accused of pushing patients into debt.
- TPG denies prioritizing profits over patient care and says it has improved healthcare quality and patient rights.
- There are calls for the UK government to explain safeguards for data and consider supporting British technology companies instead.
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