Bridgepoint confirms Care UK talks

Care UK could be on the end of a management buy-out after private equity firm Bridgepoint confirmed this morning it was in talks.'Bridgepoint Capital Limited notes the recent press speculation in relation to its interest in Care UK and confirms that it has had preliminary discussions with the Board of the Company,'its brief statement said.Market chatter yesterday had put the two parties together but no price has been suggested for Care UK, one of the largest independent providers of health and social care services.Care recently said that it was feeling the pinch of local authorities and primary care trusts adapting to the tough economic climate by tightening criteria for the placement and funding of services.