Primary Health Properties: Health White Paper Offers Opportunities

14th Jul 2010 07:41

LONDON (Dow Jones)--Primary Health Properties PLC (PHP.LN), a provider of modern, purpose built primary healthcare facilities, said Wednesday it notes the initiatives announced on July 12 by Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, in the Department of Health's White Paper, 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS' and believes that the greatly enhanced role of the GP in the provision of NHS services will propel significantly the increasing demand for modern, purpose-built premises befitting a modern health service environment, which has the potential to create substantial opportunities for PHP. MAIN FACTS: -The White Paper proposes the creation of a regulated market in the purchasing and provision of care via the creation of several hundred GP consortia, which will be overseen by an independent, NHS Commissioning Board (the "Commissioning Board") and a new economic regulator. -The Commissioning Board, which will have the status of a Special Health Authority, will take over all aspects of GP and Dentist contracts including premises. -It will also continue the paradigm shift from old style GP services to quasi clinical and diagnostics centers. -The Company believes that the allocation of responsibility to family doctors to buy care for NHS patients will be of significant benefit to PHP as the proposed transfer of responsibility will underpin further demand for modern purpose built, larger, primary healthcare facilities. -As such, PHP believes the primary care market remains extremely attractive due to the inherent protection in the income. -The efficient provision of primary care facilities is a key objective that PHP shares with the Government. -PHP has a strong track record in providing bespoke healthcare centers for the primary healthcare sector and is committed to increasing its portfolio of properties across the U.K.. -PHP is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities across the U.K. through the acquisition of suitable investment properties or funding new development. -Shares closed Tuesday at 280.0 pence. By Iain Packham, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9269; [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 14, 2010 02:41 ET (06:41 GMT)