Doctors, MPs, campaigners and human rights groups have raised concerns after US private equity firm TPG bought Optum UK, the healthcare technology business behind the electronic patient record system used by most GP practices in England. The deal, worth about $400m (£300m), means a US private equity firm will take control of a company handling millions of NHS patient records.
Experts said the move should “ring alarm bells” amid wider worries that sensitive health data is increasingly being handed to private companies. Critics said the transfer appears to have happened with little public scrutiny.
Why are doctors and MPs concerned?
Doctors, campaigners, MPs and human rights groups say the sale of a company responsible for millions of NHS patient records to a US private equity firm was not properly scrutinised publicly. They argue the public has not been given enough information about what safeguards are in place, or what would happen to the data if TPG later sold the asset.
“Private equity now owns the plumbing of English general practice. The GP records of more than half the country sit on a system controlled by a firm whose business model is returns for investors, not care for patients, and the public found out after the fact.”
The spokesperson for Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) added:
“We have been here before . The difference is that this time the buyer is a private equity giant whose overseas hospitals stand accused of pushing patients into debt … We want the government to set out what safeguards exist, what happens to the data if TPG later sells the asset, and why none of this was put to parliament.”
Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrats’ health spokesperson, said such deals were being approved without proper oversight or protections for patients.
“being rubber-stamped without any scrutiny or protections for patients”
“Time and time again, patients are seeing the government hand over sensitive NHS data to US tech firms, leaving our public services dangerously exposed.”
She called on the government to listen and “start backing British tech instead”.
What are the concerns about TPG’s track record?
Questions have also been raised about TPG’s record in healthcare after hospitals linked to the firm in Africa were accused of pushing patients entitled to free care into poverty through excessive medical bills.
Earlier this year, an investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) examined hospitals in Kenya owned by Evercare, a healthcare group backed by TPG’s Rise Fund. The investigation reported allegations that some patients were left with crippling debts and, in some cases, were required to provide land deeds as collateral for unpaid medical bills.
A spokesperson for TPG said it strongly disagreed “with the facts and characterisation of the allegations in the ICIJ’s report”.
“We’ve made more than $100m of investments across Evercare over six years, which have led to substantial gains in quality, accessibility, and accreditations, as well as patient rights and protections. Any suggestion that TPG or Evercare prioritises profits over patients is incorrect and ignores the extensive clinical governance and patient’s rights policies we’ve instituted.”
Anna Marriott, the former Oxfam health policy lead, said the deal should “ring major alarm bells”. She said the involvement of a private equity firm with a controversial international healthcare record was deeply concerning given the sensitivity of NHS patient data.
“It is deeply concerning that a private equity firm with a highly controversial track record in healthcare internationally can take control of sensitive NHS patient data with so little public scrutiny.
“NHS patients have no say over who holds their medical records, which makes it the government’s job to guarantee their safety. This deal should ring major alarm bells. Private equity’s penetration of our health service is fast outrunning the regulatory guardrails needed to protect patients, workers and the public interest.”
What does Optum UK own?
TPG acquired Optum UK from the New York-listed healthcare corporation UnitedHealth Group. The business includes EMIS, whose software is used by more than half of GP practices in England.
That makes EMIS one of the NHS’s most significant providers of primary care technology, with responsibility for managing the electronic health records of millions of patients.
How have EMIS and TPG responded?
A spokesperson for EMIS said the company has a longstanding commitment to the NHS and the wider UK healthcare system.
“We have a longstanding commitment to the NHS and the wider UK healthcare system. Data security and patient privacy have always been at the core of our operations, supported by rigorous controls, strict access requirements, and compliance with all applicable regulatory and contractual obligations.
“The acquisition was reviewed and approved by the UK government through the applicable channels in accordance with the National Security and Investment Act 2021. Any suggestion that this acquisition changes patient data protections disregards nearly three decades of upholding only the strictest compliance standards – a commitment TPG shares and has a demonstrated record of reinforcing through investment in the systems that further strengthen those safeguards.”
A spokesperson for TPG said claims that the firm could access or use NHS patient records were false.
“Assertions that TPG could in any way access, control, maintain, or utilise NHS patient records are entirely false. A change in ownership of the company has in no way changed how patient data is stored, protected, or governed, nor has it altered the legal, regulatory, contractual, and operational safeguards that apply. TPG is committed to upholding and reinforcing EMIS’ independent standards of data protection, patient privacy, and service to the NHS.”
What has the government said?
The Department of Health and Social Care did not provide a comment.
Key Facts
- TPG bought Optum UK for about $400m (£300m).
- Optum UK includes EMIS, used by more than half of GP practices in England.
- EMIS manages electronic health records for millions of patients.
- The acquisition was reviewed and approved under the National Security and Investment Act 2021.
- The Department of Health and Social Care did not comment.
