Financial close of new “super” hospital confirmed by consortium

Asteral, the leading vendor-independent managed equipment service (MES) provider to the NHS, has announced the financial close of a £130m, 35-year MES partnership with Peterborough (Progress Health) PLC for provision of a MES to three new hospital sites in Peterborough and the existing Stamford site. The deal will provide a medical equipment support service at the new acute hospital, integrated care centre and mental health unit in Peterborough.

The three new hospital sites will be handed over in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively. Asteral will then continue to provide the ongoing equipment maintenance, training and replacement programmes as part of the long-term 35-year MES contract.

This is the first time that a “vendor independent” MES has been integrated into a PFI hospital build scheme. Asteral’s unique vendor independent status ensures that all equipment is sourced from the entire marketplace regardless of manufacturer.