A property firm with an empire of GP surgeries has predicted the “legacy of Covid-19” will fuel demand for more UK medical centres.
FTSE 250 firm Primary Health Properties’ managing director Harry Hyman predicted strong demand from the government and NHS for extra space to help alleviate the backlog of consultations that has arisen as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Hyman said extra space would help relieve the pressures being placed on hospitals and A&E departments.
He said: “The legacy of Covid-19 is going to be here for some time. The Government wants to carry on facilitating high levels of testing, as well as vaccinating people, and doctors will have a backlog of patients.”
Landlord Primary Health Properties, which has over 500 surgeries and health centres, saw rental income in the six months to June increase 20.4% to £64.8 million.
The company said it also delivered its 24th year of consistent dividend growth.
Shares in the firm increased 2.1p to 152.7p.
