News - NSL

NSL, the leading transport and related services outsourcing business, has announced that it acquired the business and assets of Patient First, the midlands-based health service transport business, for an undisclosed sum.

Announcing the deal, NSL Chief Executive Mark Underwood commented: “Patient First is an excellent business, providing a very high-quality of service to patients.

“NSL prides itself on providing high-quality, complex services in highly-regulated environment so we believe Patient First will be an excellent fit with the wider NSL business.”

NSL will be taking a “business as usual” approach to Patient First, with its current management team remaining to in the business.

But Mr Underwood added that there were plans for significant investment in the business. “We believe Patient First has potential to grow and we will be aiming to bring our resource and expertise to assist with that.”

The first stage of investment in Patient First will be replacement of the company's vehicles.

Patient First Founder  Wayne Spedding commented: “Patient First has grown rapidly and demonstrated an excellent track record in providing first class transport services to patients in the NHS and private sector.

“We think that the backing and expertise of a larger organisation  - which NSL can provide  - will help us grow the business and build on our success.

I look forward to continuing to work in the business and helping NSL become a significant player in the care services industry, and help Patient First achieve its full potential.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

• NSL is the UK's leading supplier of on street parking management, with more than 60 contracts delivered for more than 40 local authorities

• It runs two national Government operations; a nationwide wheel clamping and removal of untaxed vehicles service for DVLA, and an on and off street parking management services for the Roads Services of Northern Ireland.

• It runs a debt recovery business, Task Enforcement, and an urban design consultancy business, Project Centre.

• NSL Business Processing is one of the largest providers of  business process outsourcing services for parking and traffic enforcement, at its call centres in Coventry and  Croydon.

• Patient First is based at Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury.

• Its offices are home to our management, administrative and IT teams as well as the new Patient First Training Centre.

• It holds a number of contracts with NHS Hospital Trusts and Shropshire County Council, for which we are responsible for the transport of non-urgent and higher dependency patient journeys.

• The company's area of operation mainly covers Shropshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands and Cheshire, however it often travels nationally transferring patients between healthcare providers.

• It runs a fleet of around 80 vehicles. These include high dependency ambulances, wheelchair modified ambulances and standard cars configured to meet the needs of the hospital and the patient.

For further information contact Tim Cowen on 020 8991 7709 or 07720 412413