NRS Healthcare looks set for compulsory liquidation after unsuccessfully finding a buyer
Community healthcare equipment supplier, NRS Healthcare, which works with the NHS and around 40 councils in England and Northern Ireland, is close to falling into compulsory liquidation after efforts to find a buyer were unsuccessful.
In a letter, sent to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on 4 July and obtained by the BBC, councils in the southeast of England warned of a “devastating impact” should NRS Healthcare, also known as Nottingham Rehab, cease operations and asked for a short-term loan while new arrangements were agreed.
The letter stated that the firm’s expected failure would mean local authorities would be unable to meet their legal duties to provide important support in the community.
It is understood that no loan was offered, but most councils have now managed to get plans in place to keep services running.
The letter says NRS, which is owned by Graphite Capital, a private equity firm, since 2019, has contracts to supply about 40 per cent of the healthcare equipment delivered in the community in England.
Many of its services are in the southeast of England, particularly in London, where most orders from local authorities are made are for equipment to support someone who is being discharged from hospital.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the DHSC, commented: “We are closely monitoring this situation and are working with a range of partners who are supporting local authorities to minimise any potential disruption, find alternative suppliers if needed and ensure patients continue to receive high-quality care.”
The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England, in a joint statement with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, also commented: “We are committed to ensuring that services remain as reliable as possible, especially to those people with the highest levels of need during this period of uncertainty.”
NRS Healthcare employs approximately 1,500 people across the UK with its headquarters in Coalville, Leicestershire. It finds and supplies a wide range of equipment from wheelchairs and hoists to hospital beds and pendants which monitor falls. It also maintains and repairs equipment.
NRS Heathcare’s company accounts say it suffered a costly cyber attack last year and it is also understood to have been losing money on some of its contracts with councils. It is understood by THIIS that NRS Healthcare has been working hard over the past few months to turn around the business.
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