UK Healthcare M&A: What November 2025’s Deals Tell Us
The UK healthcare sector has seen a flurry of M&A activity in November 2025. From private hospitals changing hands to digital health consolidation and care home deals, recent transactions reflect broader shifts in how healthcare services and supply structures are being reimagined. Here is a look at some of the most notable developments and what they might mean going forward.
Recent Deals and Key Transactions
Acquisition of Practice Plus Group by Narayana Health
In early November 2025, Narayana Health, a Bengaluru-based global healthcare group, completed the purchase of Practice Plus Group, an established UK private hospital operator. This transaction underscores a growing trend: international providers investing in UK hospital assets, reflecting both demand for private sector capacity and interest from overseas investors in UK healthcare infrastructure.
Continued consolidation in care homes and social care
Throughout November, a number of care home and residential care providers changed ownership. Milewood acquired specialist homes in South Yorkshire. Kara Healthcare bought a home in Leicester. Other small residential providers also changed hands. This reflects sustained appetite for social care assets as demographic pressures and demand for capacity continue to rise and private investors and operators look to scale via acquisition.
Activity in medical device, distribution and healthcare services M&A
Outside pure hospital and social care deals, there are broader movements in the global medical device and healthcare services M&A space. While some deals are US-based, consolidation trends among suppliers, distributors and digital health platforms tend to ripple across markets.
What the Trends Suggest for the UK Healthcare Sector
Increased private and international investment in UK healthcare infrastructure
The Narayana Practice Plus Group deal exemplifies how UK private hospital assets remain attractive to overseas buyers. With pressures on public services and growing demand for private and hybrid care provision, investment interest seems to be shifting toward providers that can offer capacity, flexibility and quicker access to treatment.
Consolidation in social care and care homes as part of scale-up and operational efficiency drive
Smaller care homes appear to be increasingly acquired by larger providers or groups. This suggests that scalability, standardised operations and regulatory compliance are becoming more critical. Consolidation may allow buyers to manage regulatory requirements, staffing pressures and variable demand more effectively than stand-alone small homes.
Diversification beyond hospitals
Given global pressures such as rising costs, supply-chain challenges and regulatory change, there is heightened interest in suppliers, distributors and service providers. This may eventually affect the UK, especially providers serving the NHS or supplying to private hospitals.
Private sector capacity remains a strategic hedge against NHS pressures
With long waiting lists, funding constraints and growing demand for elective procedures or outpatient care, private hospitals and care providers offer an important alternative. Recent M&A activity suggests investors anticipate this demand will remain elevated, making private sector consolidation a long-term bet.