Capita Group Plc (CPI:LSE), the provider of business process outsourcing solutions and professional support services, has today acquired specialist healthcare recruitment firm Team24 Limited for a consideration, on a cash free debt free basis, of 24 million Pounds,  plus up to a further 2 million Pounds depending on Team24's profit performance in the year to 31 March 2012. Team24 provides nurses and doctors at short notice for a wide range of temporary placements across the National Health Service (NHS) and the private sector.

Headquartered in Surrey, Team24 employs 80 staff and has around 4,000 doctors and nurses registered for placement. Clients include the NHS, prisons, doctors' surgeries and private practices. It also operates under a number of framework agreements, including the London Regional Nursing Framework (LRANF).

Team24 made a pro forma operating profit for its financial year to 31 March 2011 of 4.2 million Pounds on turnover of 32.7 million Pounds.

Paul Pindar, Chief Executive of The Capita Group Plc, commented "Healthcare resourcing is a growth market with demand for doctors and nurses increasing in-line with the ageing population and Government's focus on primary care, increased opening hours for GP surgeries and new services through NHS Direct. This acquisition will allow Capita to provide services to this growing market and complements a number of other services we offer to the public and private healthcare sectors."

In early trading Capita's shares were up by +1.45% to 734 Pence.