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Spire Healthcare Group PLC on Wednesday warned the recent slowdown in NHS commissioning activity would dent full-year profits. In response, shares in the London-based private healthcare provider slumped 14% to 191.80 pence each in London on Wednesday morning. Spire said trading has been ‘positive’ since interim results in July, with revenue growth of 3.6% on-year in the four-months from July to October. But while self-pay trends have continued to improve, this has not been sufficient to offset the recent slowdown in NHS commissioning activity, due to Integrated Care Board budgetary restrictions. As a result, the firm expects full-year adjusted group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to be around the bottom end of the £270 million to £285 million guidance range. For financial 2026, Spire expects adjusted Ebitda to be ‘broadly in line or slightly ahead of 2025.’ In 2024, Spire reported adjusted Ebitda of £260 million, up 11% from £234.0 million in 2023. ‘Looking further ahead, we would naturally expect this market environment to lead to further growth in private patient volumes and we remain confident in the medium-term outlook,’ the firm added. Spire said it continues to evaluate actions that could ‘drive long-term sustainable shareholder value’. The strategic review, which was announced in September, ‘remains ongoing’. Spire said it has started talks with ‘a number of parties in relation to a range of potential options’, which may include a potential sale of the company, value generation from the Hospital property estate and increased strategic focus on private payors. In addition, Spire announced an 18-month extension to the maturity of its existing banking facilities of £425 million to August 2028 at unchanged terms. The facility still comprises a term loan of £325 million and a £100 million revolving credit facility with the same syndicate of lenders. Spire said its transformation programme is on track to deliver £30 million of new savings during the financial year, with more savings to come in 2026. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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