US Private Equity Firm TPG Acquires Control of NHS Patient Records, Raising Concerns
A US private equity firm, TPG, has acquired Optum UK, the healthcare technology company responsible for the electronic patient record system used by most GP practices in England. The deal, valued at approximately $400 million, has sparked significant concern among doctors, MPs, and human rights groups. Critics argue that the transfer of control over millions of NHS patient records to a private equity firm has occurred with minimal public scrutiny. The Doctors’ Association UK expressed alarm, stating that the GP records of over half the country are now managed by a firm prioritizing investor returns over patient care. The Liberal Democrats’ health spokesperson, Helen Morgan, criticized the lack of scrutiny and protections for patients, urging the government to support British technology instead. Concerns have also been raised about TPG's track record, with allegations of excessive medical billing practices in hospitals linked to the firm in Africa. 
