PRIVATE healthcare giant Bupa has confirmed it is in talks which could lead to the sale of its UK hospitals, including Worcester's South Bank in Bath Road.

The company has said discussions with potential purchasers are taking place which may or may not lead' to the sale of the 26-site Bupa Hospitals division.

No one from South Bank was available to discuss the potential sale, but a statement released by Bupa said: "The board confirms that it is undertaking a review to establish whether, given the significant changes in the UK healthcare economy and in particular the increasing role the private sector is playing in that market, there may be benefits for the customers and other stakeholders of Bupa Hospitals and the Bupa Group in a sale of Bupa Hospitals.

"The circumstances that have led the board to consider the possible sale of Bupa Hospitals do not apply to any other BUPA business.

"Bupa is in preliminary discussions with potential purchasers of Bupa Hospitals.

"Those discussions may or may not lead to a decision to sell Bupa Hospitals. The board is not considering the sale of any other part of the Bupa Group or a change in status of the Bupa Group as a whole."

The statement added that a further announcement will be made in due course and that no decision has been made nor is any decision likely to be made in the immediate future concerning possible redemption of the Bupa Hospitals bonds.

Hospitals accounted for 11 per cent of Bupa's 2006 revenues, which were up 9 per cent to £4.25 billion.

The Sunday Times reported that any proceeds from any sale would allow Bupa to fund expansion of its care homes business.