HOLYWOOD-based care home operator Healthcare Ireland (HCI) has paid an undisclosed sum to buy Priory Adult Care’s portfolio of seven Northern Ireland facilities.
The acquisition accelerates the group’s ambitious expansion plans and makes HCI the largest privately-owned care home group in the north with 24 sites and more than 2,000 staff.
The seven care homes to come under its ownership are Carlingford Lodge in Warrenpoint, Bannview in Banbridge, Cairnmartin in Belfast, Bohill Residential in Coleraine, Ben Madigan in Newtownabbey and Blair House in Newtownards, as well as the learning disability facility at Bohill House in Coleraine, which will be operated by Gold Healthcare, the specialist adult services division of HCI.
Gilbert Yates, chief executive of HCI, which he founded in 2015, said: “We are focused on providing the best possible care for each and every one of our residents, and the seven new homes will allow us to bring our person centred approach to more and more people.
“Acquiring this portfolio of high-quality care facilities will dovetail perfectly with our range of homes across Northern Ireland.
“These homes, alongside A strong pipeline of new-build sites across Northern Ireland, further enhances the provision of top quality living environments for our residents, and we will continue to focus on building world class facilities going forward.
“With this latest purchase, we are now one of the fastest-growing healthcare groups in the UK and can bring our person-focused approach to more and more people, who deserve the very best care available.”
HCI has a further six new-build care home sites planned across Northern Ireland, with the next project in east Belfast and a five-acre healthcare village also in the greater Belfast area.
Sister brand Gold Healthcare has also recently opened two new facilities in Belfast – Jason Court and Bradley Court – and is completing a further one in Ballymena at Braefield Court, due to open over the summer.
