BMI Healthcare can trace its origins to 1970, and in April 2006 it was acquired by a consortium led jointly by Netcare Limited, a South African healthcare company listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) (www.netcare.co.za/12/netcare-group), and the private equity company Apax Partners (www.apax.com).

Today the consortium consists of the group's principal shareholders - Netcare with c53.7%, Apax Partners with c32.1%, and London & Regional (www.lrp.co.uk) with c7.5%. The balance (c6.7%) is held by management and senior staff.