Direct Healthcare Group

What Direct Healthcare Group does

Direct Healthcare Group (DHG) is a UK-headquartered, privately held medical device group founded in 2007 (as Direct Healthcare Services) in Caerphilly, designing, manufacturing, and distributing products across five therapeutic categories: pressure ulcer prevention (Dyna-Form, Carital hybrid and anti-deformation mattresses), specialist seating (Kirton adult, paediatric, and bariatric ranges), safe patient handling (SystemRoMedic lifts, slings, transfer aids, and the Vendlet powered turning system), bathroom safety (Linido, an 80+ year heritage brand), and specialist therapies (Negative Pressure Wound Therapy and Intermittent Pneumatic Compression acquired with Talley Group). The commercial model combines one-time medical device sales with a recurring layer through the Nightingale 24/7 rental and service network and ProServices technical servicing packages, sold via direct enterprise field sales to NHS Trusts, hospitals, care homes, and community care providers across 16 countries, supplemented by distributor partnerships and a B2B distributor portal in 50+ export markets.

Technology is anchored in clinical evidence rather than software: the Carital anti-deformation system carries Class A, Level 1 evidence; the Dyna-Form Mercury Advance won the Queen\u2019s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2016; and the portfolio includes multiple patents (UK, PCT, AU, NZ) and over 50 trademark and registered design filings. ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 certifications underpin the manufacturing and service quality system, and the ETHOS clinical education programme delivers CPD-accredited training to healthcare professionals. The group\u2019s growth has been almost entirely inorganic, with eight acquired brands and subsidiaries integrated (Nightingale, Kirton, Handicare Patient Handling, Talley Group, Vendlet, Transflo, MediCauce, Sumed International).

On 30 January 2026, private equity firm Rh\u00f4ne completed the acquisition and combination of DHG with Invacare\u2019s Europe and APAC business to form DHCare, an international leader in medical devices for mobility and post-acute care, with former DHG CEO Graham Ewart leading the combined entity and ARCHIMED retaining a minority stake. The combined group has direct presence in 16 countries and exports to over 50 markets.

Name

Direct Healthcare Group

Legal name

Direct Healthcare Group Ltd.

Website

https://directhealthcaregroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Direct Healthcare Group is a UK-based medical device manufacturer (founded 2007) of pressure ulcer prevention mattresses, specialist seating, safe patient handling, bathroom safety, and specialist therapy products, serving NHS Trusts, hospitals, care homes, and community care providers across 16 countries with distributor reach into 50+ markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Devices (Pressure Care & Patient Handling)

NAICS

Home Health Equipment Rental (532283)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Connected Medical Devices & Wearables (Sensors, Patches, Implantables) (HLACAPAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Personal Medical Devices & Home Diagnostics (Thermometers, Blood Pressure Monitors, Glucose Meters, Rapid Tests) (CRADAMAK), Medical & Mobility Device Leasing (Consumer) (FSAKANAJ)

Keywords

• Pressure ulcer prevention
• Medical device manufacturing
• Patient handling equipment
• Specialist seating solutions
• Bathroom safety products

Headquarters

HQ city

Caerphilly

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Medical Device Product Sales: DHG designs, manufactures, and distributes medical devices across five core categories: pressure ulcer prevention (mattresses, cushions, hybrid systems), specialist seating (adult, pediatric, bariatric), safe patient handling (lifts, slings, transfer aids), bathroom safety (Linido-branded), and specialist therapies (NPWT, IPC). Products are sold directly to healthcare providers and through distributor networks across Europe and internationally. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales with potential for after-market accessories and replacement parts.
2. Rental & Service Solutions (Nightingale Brand): Through the Nightingale brand, DHG offers 24/7/365 rental and service solutions for bariatric beds, pressure care equipment, specialist seating, and patient handling devices. Provides ad hoc and contracted rental packages for NHS Trusts and healthcare providers, enabling facilities to serve patients with any operating budget. ISO 13485-accredited national network of rental and service centers.
3. ProServices (ISO 13485-Compliant Technical Services): DHG offers ProServe and ProRent service packages for hospitals and equipment services, providing ISO 13485-compliant technical servicing, maintenance, and cleaning for the wide range of products in-situ. Includes ProDepot, ProClean, and installation support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Direct Healthcare Group (DHG) is a UK-based integrated developer and manufacturer of medical devices for reduced-mobility healthcare. It designs, manufactures, and distributes pressure ulcer prevention mattresses and cushions, specialist seating, safe patient handling systems (lifts, slings, transfer aids), bathroom safety solutions, falls management chairs, and specialist wound therapy devices, primarily to healthcare providers across Europe and over 50 export markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SystemRoMedic: Safe patient handling and movement solutions including hoists, lifting slings, transfer aids, and rail systems
• Dyna-Form
• Linido
• Nightingale
• Kirton
• Raizer
• Vendlet
• Carital
• Transflo
• Ethos
• ProServices

Products and services

• Dyna-Form Pressure Care Mattresses (Hybrid, Static, Dynamic) and Cushions Range of pressure ulcer prevention mattresses and cushions combining static foam, dynamic air, and hybrid technologies, designed for acute and long-term care settings to prevent pressure injuries in bedridden and at-risk patients.
• Carital Anti-Deformation Mattress Systems Patented anti-deformation mattress technology that prevents tissue and cell deformation under pressure, supported by the highest clinical evidence rating (Class A, Level 1) for pressure ulcer prevention.
• Kirton Specialist Seating (Adult, Pediatric, Bariatric, Riser Recliners) Specialist seating range for adults, children, and bariatric patients with complex postural and clinical care needs, including riser recliners, manufactured under the Kirton brand.
• SystemRoMedic Safe Moving & Handling Solutions Comprehensive range of patient lifting, transfer, repositioning, and positioning products including mobile lifts, ceiling lifts, sit-to-stand aids, lifting slings, rail systems, sliding sheets, and the Vendlet powered turning system, designed to enable safer ergonomics for caregivers.
• Linido Bathroom Safety Solutions Bathroom safety and accessibility products including grab rails, arm supports, shower stools and chairs, washbasin adaptations, shower stretchers and trolleys, toilet raisers, and bathing accessories, with over 80 years of design heritage.
• Nightingale Bariatric Solutions Bariatric equipment range including beds, seating, evacuation devices, commodes and showering equipment, cushions, hoists, support surfaces, walking and standing aids, and wheelchairs sized and rated for bariatric patients.
• Specialist Therapies (NPWT and IPC) Negative Pressure Wound Therapy devices for accelerated healing of chronic wounds, and Intermittent Pneumatic Compression solutions for prevention of pulmonary embolism and venous thromboembolism, integrated via the Talley Group acquisition.
• Raizer Falls Management Chair Battery-powered emergency lifting chair that assembles around a fallen person to lift them safely from the floor, used for falls management in care homes, hospitals, and community settings.
• Vendlet Powered Turning System Electric turning sheet system for automated patient repositioning in bed, designed to reduce caregiver strain and prevent pressure injuries in immobile patients.
• Nightingale Rental and Service Solutions 24/7/365 rental and managed service solutions for bariatric beds, pressure care equipment, specialist seating, and patient handling devices, with ad hoc and contracted packages serving NHS Trusts and healthcare providers across the UK.
• ProServices (ProServe, ProRent, ProClean, ProDepot) ISO 13485-compliant technical servicing, maintenance, cleaning, decontamination, and installation support packages for the full range of DHG products deployed in hospitals and care facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pressure ulcer prevention rates significantly improved through use of Dyna-Form and Carital products — clinical evidence cited at highest strength (Class A, Level 1) for Carital anti-deformation technology.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sumed International LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2024DHG acquired Sumed International Ltd, a UK-based provider of pressure ulcer prevention surfaces and accessories. The acquisition expands DHG's product portfolio and service network in the UK, strengthening its market-leading position in pressure ulcer prevention and treatment solutions.
• MediCauce SLcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023DHG acquired MediCauce SL, a Spanish medical device supplier, at the end of December 2023. This acquisition allows DHG to establish a direct presence in Spain and expand its portfolio, notably including the Raizer falls management chair, to the Spanish market.
• MediQ Norge AScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2023From April 1, 2023, MediQ Norge AS represents Direct Healthcare Group on the Norwegian market for SystemRoMedic, Bure, and Mover product ranges. MediQ Norge AS handles marketing, sales, installation, and service. DHG manages mattress products directly in Norway.
• Vendlet ApScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2022DHG acquired Vendlet ApS, a Danish patient turning system manufacturer, in February 2022. Vendlet produces electric turning sheet systems for patient repositioning, which complements DHG's safe patient handling portfolio under the SystemRoMedic brand.
• Transflo (Cushion Brand)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018DHG acquired the Transflo cushion brand, adding to its pressure care product portfolio. Transflo cushions are used in pressure ulcer prevention applications.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Invacare (Europe/APAC, now DHCare): Long-standing direct competitor across wheelchairs, mobility, pressure care, and patient handling — now merged with DHG to form DHCare. Invacare's European/APAC operations overlap directly with DHG's portfolio across home and institutional care settings.
• Arjo: Swedish medical device company focused on patient handling, pressure injury prevention, and hygiene — directly competing with DHG's pressure care, lifts, and patient handling portfolio across European hospitals and care homes.
• Etac: Nordic-based manufacturer of wheelchairs, seating, patient handling, and bathroom safety products — directly comparable to DHG's Linido and SystemRoMedic ranges, especially in Scandinavian markets where DHG also operates.
• Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare: Broad-line durable medical equipment manufacturer covering pressure prevention, mobility, bathroom safety, and patient handling — directly comparable product portfolio to DHG across home and institutional care.
• Permobil: Specialist in complex rehab wheelchairs, seating, and power mobility — overlapping with DHG's Kirton specialist seating and Raizer falls management ranges, particularly for complex care and bariatric patients.
• Sunrise Medical: Global manufacturer of manual and power wheelchairs, seating, and mobility aids — comparable to DHG's Nightingale bariatric mobility range and Kirton specialist seating lines across European homecare channels.
• Handicare: Provider of mobility and accessibility solutions including stairlifts, patient handling, and bathroom safety — directly comparable to DHG's SystemRoMedic and Linido product families before the partial divestiture of its patient handling business to DHG.
• Talley Group: UK-based manufacturer of pressure area care, negative pressure wound therapy, and intermittent pneumatic compression — acquired by DHG in 2021, and its product lines remain integrated into DHG's Specialist Therapies portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Hillrom (Baxter): Major incumbent in hospital beds, pressure injury prevention surfaces, and patient handling — now part of Baxter. Overlaps with DHG's Dyna-Form pressure care line and Linido bathroom safety offering in hospital procurement.
• Stryker: Large diversified medtech with a Medical division covering hospital beds, stretchers, and patient handling equipment — a broader incumbent competing for the same hospital procurement budgets as DHG's safe patient handling and pressure care lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/direct_hg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/direct-healthcare-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A6 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Direct Healthcare Group