OutsideClinic acquires Care Opticians and launches joint venture model

OutsideClinic has acquired the domiciliary eye care provider, Care Opticians, and launched a new joint venture ownership structure.

Care Opticians currently operates in England and Scotland through 12 regional franchises.

The acquisition is expected to increase OutsideClinic’s capacity to provide services for housebound patients.

Following the acquisition, OutsideClinic has launched a joint venture ownership structure, which will enable the domiciliary provider to establish joint venture partnerships with optometrists and “strengthen national coverage.”

The new proposition follows a similar model provided by Care Opticians over the last decade, with Care Opticians executives joining the OutsideClinic leadership team.

Paul Chapman-Hatchett, founder and CEO of Care Opticians, joins OutsideClinic as director of strategic partnerships, where he will develop the domiciliary provider’s joint working with High Street practices, charities for older people, and care providers.

Michelle Peel, founder and executive director of Care Opticians, will become joint venture partnership director, focused on expanding the number of joint venture partnerships with optometrists.

Commenting on the news, Chapman-Hatchett said he was “delighted” to be joining Outside Clinic, adding that, “Care Opticians will benefit from OutsideClinic’s strong clinical support, excellent technology and market-leading customer service.”

Henry Pitman, chairman of Optimism Health Group, which owns OutsideClinic, said: “This opportunity is a further step towards our objective of creating a substantial domiciliary group and will help us to further extend our offering to individuals who are unable to access High Street optometry, allowing us to reach more housebound individuals and help maximise their quality of life.”

Optimism Health Group, a healthcare investment business, was established with a focus on the provision of healthcare services for the 75 to 90-year-old demographic.

Over the past two years, the business has acquired OutsideClinic and Visioncall, with the acquisition of Care Opticians adding to its portfolio.