Around 7,000 Leicestershire people with private medical insurance from Standard Life are being advised to seek advice if they are concerned about the firm's takeover.

The guidance comes from leading Leicester broker Brett & Randall after Standard Life's private medical business was sold to Discovery Holdings.

The South African company plans to integrate Standard Healthcare into PruHealth, its joint venture with Prudential Assurance in the UK.

Brett & Randall estimates 7,200 people in Leicestershire have private medical insurance policies with Standard Life Healthcare. Up to a third of those will have their insurance provided directly by their employers.

Healthcare consultant Tony Hulatt advises firms that provide Standard Life private medical insurance to their employees to get advice from a specialist private medical insurance broker well before policies are up for renewal.

"We know Standard Life customers value quality service and the peace of mind that this brings at time of illness, and they are often prepared to pay a premium for that," he explains "Whilst it is clear that the Standard Life name will disappear from the UK healthcare market in the short-run, it is not totally clear what practical implications this acquisition will have for Standard Life members in the longer term."

PruHealth, which is owned by South African-based Discovery Holdings, currently outsources UK claims and administration functions to their base in South Africa.

Mr Hulatt says: "That may be a cause of concern for some Standard Life customers who are used to everything being handled in the UK."

The transfer of ownership takes place with effect from July 31 subject to approval by the authorities.