Corporate activity in the private social care sector is set to rise in 2010 according to specialists at Browne Jacobson who have been acting on a spate of high profile deals.

The firm's private social care team recently advised the Royal Bank of Scotland, working alongside RBS Relationship Director Kenny Nelson, in connection with the acquisition of St Cyril's Rehabilitation Unit by St George's Healthcare Group. Julie Newton led the Browne Jacobson team.

St Cyril's Rehabilitation Unit is a purpose-built facility located in the grounds of the Countess of Chester Hospital providing 20 en suite single rooms and specialist accommodation and rehabilitation facilities to meet the needs of individuals with physical disabilities or sensory or cognitive impairments. 

Other RBS-backed deals which the firm has acted on over the last few months include a series of acquisitions by Bondcare, one of the UK's largest privately held care-home companies.

This included the purchase of land at  Dawley near Telford for the development of a 72 bed residential care home, development of a residential care home at Bromford Lane, Washwood Heath, Birmingham as a residential care home and the proposed redevelopment of  an 82 bed residential care home at Stourbridge Road, Halesowen.

The team has also been advising NatWest, working with Kenny Nelson and NatWest Associate Director Richard Wilson, on the refinancing of Moundsley Hall, a 48 bed care home operated by Moundsley Hall Limited.

Oliver Pritchard, Head of the Private Social Care Team at Browne Jacobson, said: "The sector could be one of the most active areas for corporate activity in 2010. In recent years we have seen a number of the larger corporate operators expanding through mergers and acquisitions whilst niche operators have been snapping up smaller sites. With the number of people aged over 75 expected to reach over six million by 2025 the demands placed on the social care sector will undoubtedly continue."