Privatklinik Linde in Biel joins Hirslanden

The shareholders of Linde Holding Biel/Bienne AG have decided the following: They will tender a large majority of their shares to Hirslanden prior to elapse of the offer period on 22 June 2017. The Board has decided to record Hirslanden with all its purchased Linde shares in the company's share register with voting rights. Hirslanden is granting all shareholders who have not accepted Hirslanden’s offer by 12 July 2017 an extension period to accept the off on identical terms.

Thanks to the decision of Linde shareholders, Hirslanden will benefit from having the private hospital Privatklinik Linde as a corporate member which perfectly complements the Group's strategic direction. "The range of medical services and the physical infrastructure of Privatklinik Linde are superb," says Dr Ole Wiesinger, CEO of the Hirslanden Private Hospital Group. "We will further develop the hospital together with the affiliated doctors and establish it in the region as a central private hospital. "We are excited and proud to welcome Privatklinik Linde as a new member of the Hirslanden Group".

The decision by Linde shareholders is also a strong indication of their confidence in the success of Hirslanden’s system-based business model. “Bringing the advantages of our integrated affiliated doctor system and local centres of expertise to Linde will consolidate an already strong market position, enabling further growth,” commented Ole Wiesinger.

"With today's decision of the shareholders, Private Klinik Linde has entered a new dimension. We are convinced that this step will allow us to move into the future with greater confidence," says Dr Kurt Aeberhard, Chairman of the Board of Linde Holding Biel/Bienne AG.

The Privatklinik Linde has over 115 beds, an outpatient clinic facility, an emergency department, six operating theatres, and physiotherapy, radiology and ophthalmology centres (with their own operating theatres). Last year 6,043 inpatients and 38,446 outpatients were treated. There are over 80 affiliated doctors and 434 staff working at the hospital.

Including Privatklinik Linde, the Hirslanden Private Hospital Group will now encompass 17 hospitals in 11 cantons. Hirslanden has followed a growth strategy for years, both in the inpatient and in the outpatient area. Our goal is to develop regional medical care networks so as to create the maximum benefits possible for our patients.

About the Hirslanden Private Hospital Group

The Hirslanden Private Hospital Group now consists of 17 hospitals in 11 cantons, many of which have an outpatient surgery centre and emergency department. The Group also operates 4 outpatient clinics, 14 radiology institutes and 4 radiotherapy institutes. It has 2,180 employed and affiliated doctors, and 8,930 staff members. Hirslanden is the leading private hospital group and the largest medical network in Switzerland. In the 2016/17 financial year, the group generated turnover of 1,704 million Swiss francs. As at 31 March 2016, over 100,000 inpatients were being treated at the 16 hospitals, amounting to 466,000 inpatient days. In insurance terms, the patient mix consists of 44.8% basic, 31.2 % semi-private, and 24.0% private insured patients.

The Hirslanden Private Hospital Group is synonymous with first-class medical care delivered by highly qualified medical specialists with years of experience. As a system provider, Hirslanden stands out from the rest of the market: interdisciplinary medical centres of expertise and specialised institutes enable it to offer the best possible individualised treatment, even in highly complex cases. The Hirslanden Private Hospital Group was formed in 1990 through the merger of several Swiss private hospitals, and it has been part of the South African hospital group Mediclinic International Limited since 2007. 

About Privatklinik Linde

Since its founding over 60, Privatklinik Linde has grown to become one of the leading private hospitals in the Biel-Seeland-Berner Jura region. Privatklinik Linde is a listed hospital of Bern Canton, and in 2016 treated a total of 6,043 inpatients and 38,446 outpatients. And 660 infants were born at the hospital. The average stay per patient was 4.24 days. The hospital recorded turnover of CHF 90,863 million.

Since opening of the hospital expansion in April 2017, Privatklinik Linde has 115 beds, an outpatient clinic facility, an emergency department, six operating theatres, and physiotherapy, radiology and ophthalmology centres (with their own operating theatres). Over 80 affiliated doctors and 434 staff work at Linde, including 322 full-time personnel. In 2016 the hospital has 78 young people in medical and non-medical apprenticeship and training arrangements.