Competition Markets Authority
Statutory timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 23 June 2020 | Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted |
| 8 April 2020 | Decision announced |
| 12 to 26 February 2020 | Invitation to comment |
| 12 February 2020 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 20 December 2019 | Initial enforcement order |
*This date is the current statutory deadline by when the decision will be announced. If any change occurs, the information is refreshed as soon as practicable. However, the CMA cannot guarantee that the decision will be announced on or before this current deadline, as the deadline of a given case may change during the merger assessment process due to different reasons.
Phase 1
Decision to undertake review of the undertakings in lieu of reference
2 August 2021: The CMA has decided to review the undertakings in lieu of a reference offered in relation to the completed acquisition by Circle Health Holdings Limited of all the issued share capital of CHC Healthcare Holdings Limited (a parent company of BMI Healthcare Limited). Please see Circle Health / BMI Healthcare: Review of undertakings for further information.
Directions to appoint a monitoring trustee
25 June 2020: Pursuant to the Undertakings in Lieu accepted 23 June 2020, the CMA directed Circle to appoint a monitoring trustee.
- (14.8.20)
Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted
23 June 2020: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the completed acquisition by Circle Health Holdings Limited of GHG Healthcare Holdings Limited (a parent company of BMI Healthcare Limited).
- (29.6.20)
- (23.6.20)
Amendments/consents granted:
- (6.10.22)
- (6.10.22)
- (28.3.22)
- (7.12.20)
- (29.10.20)
- (2.10.20)
- (13.7.20)
Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation: closes 28 May 2020
14 May 2020: We are consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference for the completed acquisition by Circle Health Holdings Limited of GHG Healthcare Holdings Limited (a parent company of BMI Healthcare Limited).
- (14.5.20)
- (14.5.20)
CMA to consider undertakings offered
24 April 2020: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by Circle Health Holdings Limited, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002.
- (29.4.20)
Reference unless undertakings accepted
8 April 2020: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.
- (20.5.20)
- (8.4.20)
- Press release: Private hospital merger to be approved if local concerns addressed (8.4.20)
Re-issue of initial enforcement order
11 March 2020: The CMA has served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002, in relation to the completed acquisition by Circle Health Holdings Limited (and indirectly by Centene Corporation via a minority interest in Circle Health Holdings Limited) of GHG Healthcare Holdings Limited (a parent company of BMI Healthcare Limited).
- (25.3.20)
Amendments/consents granted:
- (21.5.20)
- (21.5.20)
- (14.5.20)
- (14.5.20)