Saint John of God Care Services has applied to build a 60-bed nursing home and an 11-bed care home on the site of the former Saint Clare Abbey in Carmel Road, Darlington. In addition to the two new buildings, it is also proposed to convert the Abbey into residential and office space.

BUPA Care Services revised plans to build a 52-bed care home in Farnham, Surrey have been approved by Waverley Borough Council. An existing nursing home will be demolished and replaced with larger facilities. The development is expected to create employment and business opportunities. 2010: turnover 7.6bn; 42,547 employees.

Independent healthcare provider Four Seasons Health Care, based in Wilmslow in Hampshire, has been sold to private equity firm Terra Firma in a deal which values the business at 825m. Terra Firma will take responsibility for all of the firms existing debts of around 800m, as well as an injection of new equity.

Four Seasons Health Care, owner of 445 care homes has agreed to be sold to private equity firm Terra Firma for 825 million. The deal is expected to be completed by July 2012.