London, 12 September 2008 - Baker & McKenzie has advised CVC Capital Partners (CVC) on the disposal by its Australian portfolio company, I-Med, of 100% of the shares of Lodestone Patient Care Ltd.  I-Med was taken private by CVC in December 2006. 

Lodestone Patient Care provides diagnostic imaging services across the UK to both the private and public healthcare sectors. It has been working in close partnership with the NHS for over 15 years, being the first private radiology company to enter into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the NHS.

CVC is a leading global private equity and investment advisory firm, headquartered in Luxembourg, with a network of 19 offices across Europe, Asia and the USA.

Commenting on the transaction, Baker & McKenzie Corporate Partner Jane Hobson said: "We have had a close alliance with Lodestone in all legal aspects of their business for almost a decade and were very pleased to be asked to represent CVC in the sale which was our first mandate for CVC in this sector.  The sale to Alliance Medical, which is owned by the Middle Eastern private equity fund, Dubai International Capital, reflects the increasing levels of consolidation in the private healthcare market in the UK.''

''It is also another example of the strength and depth of Baker & McKenzie's private equity capabilities in the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare industry,'' she added.

The Baker & McKenzie team was led by Partner Jane Hobson and included associates David Allen, Philomena Pacheco and Simon Cleobury.