Welltower / multiple care homes merger inquiries

As part of this investigation, the CMA also investigated whether the above arrangements also give rise to relevant merger situations between Care UK Care Services Limited (Care UK) and Aria Care (either on their own or together with Welltower) and between Apex Healthcare Properties LLC (Apex) and HC-One (either on their own or together with Welltower).

Undertakings in lieu of a reference accepted

10 September 2026: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of a reference to a Phase 2 investigation offered by Welltower and Apex in relation to the completed acquisitions by Welltower of care homes managed by Barchester Healthcare, HC-One, Aria Care (including Asprey) and Danforth Care.

Consultation: undertakings in lieu of reference

30 July 2026: The CMA is consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference to a Phase 2 investigation offered by Welltower and Apex in relation to the completed acquisitions of care homes managed by Barchester Healthcare, HC-One, Aria Care (including Asprey) and Danforth Care.

Extension of consideration of undertakings in lieu

17 July 2026: The CMA has extended the consideration of undertakings in lieu of reference until 17 September 2026.

21 May 2026: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by Welltower and Apex, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002.

7 May 2026: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that each of the mergers  have resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. Each of these mergers will be referred for an in-depth, phase 2 investigation unless Welltower and Apex offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.