Private healthcare insurer BUPA today said profits were likely to be lower this year as a result of recent deals and its exit from Ireland.

British healthcare giant Bupa agreed to sell its hospitals business today in a private equity deal worth £1.44bn (€2.13bn).

Private healthcare giant BUPA has put its UK hospitals up for sale in a move that could raise £1.2bn (€1.75bn) or more, it was reported today.

Private healthcare giant BUPA posted a rise in annual revenues and profits today.

Health insurance giant Bupa said today that pre-tax profits had soared by almost 20% last year as more NHS patients paid for their own hospital treatment.