Acquisition signals change in patient transport landscape

avro fleet team • February 4, 2026

The healthcare transport sector in the South West of England has seen a significant shift following Health Transportation Group UK’s acquisition of First Care Ambulance. The deal brings the Devon non‑emergency patient transport contract and its associated vehicles and workforce into HTGUK’s portfolio and aligns services with Cornwall and Isles of Scilly operations.


What the acquisition means for NEPTS delivery

Non‑emergency patient transport (NEPTS) services are often overlooked until demand spikes or contracts change hands. They are essential to hospital flow, patient appointment access, and discharge planning. By consolidating the Devon and Cornwall contracts under one operator, commissioners may benefit from greater consistency of service delivery, deeper resource planning, and shared learning across a broader regional footprint.


From an operations perspective, the acquisition brings around 176 staff and 76 vehicles into a larger group. That scale can improve resilience, especially during peak periods, unexpected staff shortages, or surge demand. For commissioners, this can translate to reduced risk, a broader pool of experienced personnel, and potentially better performance reporting because systems and processes are standardised across a larger network.


Implications for private providers

For private companies in the ambulance and patient transport market, this deal highlights the value of scale and integration. Winning contracts increasingly depends on demonstrating the ability to manage complex regional requirements, maintain fleet readiness, and support workforce development across multiple sites. Consolidated providers may be better placed to invest in fleet upgrades, telematics, and data‑driven performance measures than smaller, fragmented operators.


Workforce and service continuity

One notable feature of the acquisition is that the existing management team at First Care Ambulance stays in place. That continuity can help smooth the transition, reduce disruption, and retain institutional knowledge about local service requirements and commissioning relationships. It is an example of how acquisitions can be structured to preserve service stability while achieving organisational goals.


Strategic context

The merger of the Devon and Cornwall Integrated Care Boards adds a backdrop of broader health system transformation. As integrated care systems evolve, patient transport services are being looked at as part of whole‑system planning rather than discrete contracts. Bigger, coordinated transport networks may align better with broader goals like integrated discharge pathways and improved patient access.


Bottom line

This acquisition is more than a change of ownership. It reflects broader trends in healthcare transport: consolidation for resilience, integration with regional health planning, and the need for robust operational capability. Providers and commissioners alike should note that scale and continuity are increasingly central to delivering reliable, patient‑centric transport services.

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