UPMC Acquires Majority Ownership of Dublin Hospital

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center last week announced the completion of an agreement under which UPMC will acquire majority ownership of Beacon Hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Beacon Hospital has been renamed UPMC Beacon, and is now officially part of UPMC's 20-hospital network. UPMC representatives said the move will significantly improve treatment options and better access to care for patients.

"This commitment to the health of Irish patients will ensure continued access to UPMC's excellent clinical care and technological expertise," said UPMC Beacon Hospital Chief Executive Officer Joel Yuhas in a statement. "Our plans for significant expansion of UPMC Beacon will free up resources and increase capacity in the public health system for the benefit of patients."

UPMC became the operator of Beacon Hospital Cancer Centre in 2007, and began managing the entire hospital in February 2008. Under the new agreement, UPMC has acquired majority ownership of the hospital management company and the entity that owns the hospital property, according to a UPMC release. UPMC is committing 68 million euros (approximately $96 million) in investment and loan guarantees.

UPMC reports that since it began managing the hospital, it has seen growth in patient admissions and surgical procedures, according to the release. This benefits hospital employees as well, because allows them to provide technologically advanced care, said UPMC officials.

"With the continuing support of our excellent physicians, UPMC Beacon Hospital remains uniquely positioned to serve the needs of our patients," said Mark Redmond, MD, medical director of UPMC Beacon Hospital and director of Beacon Medical Group, in a statement.

Although this announcement is from UPMC, a multi-billion dollar health system and a leading academic medical center, could it still be a signal that the economy is showing at least a slight improvement for healthcare? An August HealthLeaders magazine story ("Spotting the Turnaround") states that "employment has a significant impact on the business of healthcare." And a new report released by The Conference Board shows that online job listings are on the increase in many employment sectors.

And even if the economy continues to lag, perhaps UPMC's confidence in its global realm will boost its revenue, or perhaps even inspire other systems to increase business by looking outside the U.S. for investment opportunities.

The development in Ireland is only one portion of UPMC's efforts to expand business all over the globe. UPMC Beacon Hospital and Cancer Centre are part of UPMC's International and Commercial Services Division, which includes the operation of more than 40 cancer treatment centers worldwide. UPMC also provides emergency services and training in Qatar and is deploying electronic medical record technology at two UK hospitals. In addition, UPMC announced earlier this year an agreement to manage a health center in Cyprus and a partnership with GE Healthcare to develop cancer centers throughout Europe and the Middle East. And even with the recent signals that the economy might be improving, health systems all over the world still need all the help they can get.