Bids for the UK hospitals arm of BUPA reached close to £1.4bn after the close of the first round last week. The Times

At least six groups are thought to be involved in the bidding for the 26 hospitals, among them private equity firms Blackstone, Cinven and CVC, and Australian investment bank Macquarie.

Ramsay Health Care, Australia’s biggest private hospital operator, is also considering a bid financed by private equity.

Citigroup is handling the sale of the hospitals, which includes Lea Hospital in Cambridge and the Murrayfield Hospital in Edinburgh. A decision on a preferred bidder is expected in June.