Variation in homecare tariffs across the Danish municipalities is making growth in the for-profit sector difficult and forcing consolidation of smaller companies that cannot price match, HBI hears from several sources.
Job applications for social care have dropped off a cliff in the UK as the economy starts to open up, according to an operator. Groups in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Austria say they are still seeing a surge.
M&A slowed to a trickle during COVID but the next six weeks will see a flood of deals. HBI examines the deals that are about to happen, the companies looking to IPO, and reviews a handful of deals that remain resolutely on hold for the moment.
The Danish regions have collectively tendered more than €250m worth of homecare services since the beginning of the year. Municipalities are finally shrugging off a hostile approach to for-profit healthcare, which HBI understands is driven by a desire to avoid further bankruptcies in the sector.
Ireland will start to regulate its homecare market in the coming months, with a draft law expected to give all Irish residents consumer protection rights. It could push smaller players out of the market.
Recovery in the Nordic social care market is happening slower than expected as provider Ambea expects a hit on revenues and profits in Q1 to continue in the second quarter. Sweden has been particularly badly hit with EBITA down in both its elderly care and disabled care segments.
Live-in carers in Germany are favouring short-term contracts and regularly switch employer. HBI speaks with Benedikt Zacher, senior strategist at Berlin-based SunaCare, to find out why this is a problem.
French Minister for Autonomy Brigitte Bourguignon says "Amendment 43", which would see compulsory wage rises for public domiciliary homecare workers, has the governments full backing. For profit operators have expressed concern, but unions in France are calling loudly for the costly proposal to be extended to for-profits.
London-based private equity fund G Square Capital has taken full control of private health and care group Unicare. Founder and minority shareholder Tom Tidemann tells HBI he is dismayed by its action - but G Square's CEO tells HBI it was necessary to stop Unicare going bankrupt.
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