Investment firm scoops up Visioncall

“Exciting chapter in our journey”: Michelle Le Prevost

Following its 2020 acquisition of the OutsideClinic, UK healthcare investment firm – the Optimism Health Group – has acquired Visioncall.

Founded in 2001, Visioncall provides eyecare services to more than 100,000 residents in some 5,000 care homes, while Optimism Health Group provides technology and clinical and support services to the 75 to 90-year-old age group. Optimum is now eyeing up the “£3.5bn UK eyecare and hearing care market”, where it believes there is “an opportunity for consolidation and new delivery models”.

Visioncall will continue to operate as part of Optimum’s portfolio – delivering eyecare services to elderly patients living in care across the UK.

In November 2020, Optimism acquired the OutsideClinic, which annually provides eyecare and hearing care to over 100,000 older people in their own homes. In early July, the OutsideClinic announced its plans to recruit 50 additional optometrists and 20 other audiologists to respond to strong demand from patients requiring sight tests and hearing tests in their own homes.

Optimism said it planned to acquire further complementary businesses in the eyecare and the hearing sector, as well as businesses providing other clinical services to the fast-growing older demographic.

Henry Pitman, chairman of Optimism, commented: “I am delighted that we have completed the acquisition of Visioncall, which is a well-established business providing a vital service to some of the most vulnerable people in society. Visioncall’s eyecare service in care homes is complementary to the OutsideClinic’s eyecare in people’s own homes.”

Michelle Le Prevost, managing director of Visioncall, said: “We are excited about joining Optimism and working alongside our new sister company OutsideClinic. We believe that this acquisition marks an exciting new chapter in our journey to help our patients see better and live better. As care homes re-open, the business is seeing accelerating demand for eye and hearing tests. Optimism’s investment will allow us to continue expanding our business, recruiting a further 20 optometrists over the next two years.”