Bupa's half-year results have highlighted this year's large-scale investment and strength in international markets and care services.
Care services business revenues are up 4% and profit has risen by 3% to £69.8m.
Revenues are up by 5% to £4.1bn with organic growth of 4% with sustained performance in international markets and care services having driven underlying profit before tax to grow 3%. Overall profit before tax is £255.3m; a rise of 5% since last year.
Capital investment totalled £110.4m compared to half year results last year of £78.4m. Th jump has been owing to the development of care homes and investing in other healthcare provision assets.
Customer numbers have also risen by 3% to 11.1m.
Stuart Fletcher, chief executive of Bupa, said the results were satisfactory and in line with expectations.
He said: "In the UK, the health insurance market is approaching an affordability crunch over the medium term. In this context we are taking steps on behalf of customers to tackle the rising cost of care and improve competition and efficiency among providers.
"In care services, the business delivered strong performances in Australia and New Zealand and focused on increasing occupancy and controlling costs in the UK and Spain amid challenging economic conditions and pressure on public sector fees and referrals. "
Fletcher added positive momentum had been achieved in Australia and Spain and that numbers had grown in in Asia.
