Southern Cross Healthcare Group plc swung to a full-year pretax loss after a “difficult year”.
For the year ended September 28, 2008, the UK's biggest care home operator company posted a pretax loss of 22.9 million pounds, compared with a profit of 3.0 million pounds in the previous year.
Revenue grew 21.5 percent to 889.4 million pounds. The key drivers of the growth were acquisitions completed during the year, the full-year impact of acquisitions completed in the prior year and fee rate increases achieved, Southern Cross said.
Chairman Ray Miles said Southern Cross’ objectives now are to improve the efficiency and profitability of the Group and to grow the business in a deliberate manner. ““With a clear direction, a new management team, greater focus on operational performance and a continuing expansion in the market for elderly care, we face the future with confidence,” he said.