Private US firm advising NHS sees surge in profits

(Wednesday, July 21, 2010)

The US group, UnitedHealth, which runs GPs' practices and advises PCTs in the UK, has reported a 30% leap in profits to $1.1bn in the last three months.

The company signed a contract with the Department of Health last month to advise PCTs on commissioning, ahead of reforms that will give GPs the majority share of the NHS budget.

However, US unions have complained about the company, which has come under fire for malpractice. In 2008, its former boss William McGuire was banned as a director and forced to repay $468m following a scandal related to backdated stock options.