Preferred Bidder

Tribal Group PLC
12 December 2006




Mercury Health appointed as preferred bidder for Essex ISTC contract

Mercury Health, the healthcare delivery arm of Tribal Group plc, is pleased to
announce that it has been appointed as preferred bidder by the Department of
Health on a substantial five-year contract to provide NHS patients in Essex with
a range of surgical, orthodontic, rehabilitation and sexual health & family
planning services. This contract is part of Phase 2 of the Department of
Health's Independent Sector Treatment Centre (ISTC) programme.

The scheme is expected to include two in-patient and day-case treatment centres,
one in Braintree and one in Basildon, and a day case surgical centre in
Southend. Community rehabilitation services to improve the rate of recovery and
quality of life for stroke victims and patients with heart and lung disease will
also be part of the contract. Sexual Health and Family Planning services will be
provided throughout the county.

Overall, it is expected that Mercury Health will provide a total of
approximately 29,000 additional procedures and appointments annually to the
Essex community. The main services are expected to be delivered from Autumn 2008
with orthodontic and sexual health services commencing in Autumn 2007. It is
expected that financial close will be reached in Spring 2007.

Mercury Health Chief Executive, Peter Martin, said:

'We are delighted to have been appointed as preferred bidder on this important
contract to deliver health services to NHS patients in Essex. This announcement
extends our existing partnership with the NHS and builds on recent success in
being chosen as preferred bidder for a major diagnostics contract treating NHS
patients in the West Midlands. The Essex contract will complement Mercury
Health's existing surgical, diagnostic and primary care services.'

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Henry Pitman, Chief Executive - 01285 886020
Simon Lawton, Group Finance Director - 01285 886020
Peter Martin, Chief Executive, Mercury Health - 0118 952 1900





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