NMa imposes conditions on merger health organisations Noord-Oost Brabant

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has, after investigation, cleared the merger between the health organisations Stichting Pantein (Pantein) and Stichting Thuiszorg Brabant Noord-Oost (STBNO). The competition enforcer does, however, impose conditions on the merger. Parties will have to hive off part of their home care services to the Zorggroep VDA (VDA) in order to qualify for the merger. As a result, clients remain assured of alternative suppliers of home care services.

STBNO is a provider of home care services. Pantein provides care services in convalescent and nursing homes, as well as home care services. The NMa establishes that a merger in the region of the Land van Cuijk may result in the emergence or strengthening of a dominant position in the markets for home care services (personal care/ nursing and domestic care). The already strong position of STBNO in this region would significantly increase as a result of the merger with Pantein, and only a very small competitor would remain. The region of the Land van Cuijk falls within the scope of services provided by the health agency for Noord-Oost Brabant and comprises the municipalities of Boxmeer, Cuijk, Mill, Sint Anthonis and Grave.

In order to address problems with regard to competition, Pantein and STBNO will hive off part of their activities in the area of personal care and nursing and also domestic care, to a new market entrant in the region. The merging parties have proposed to involve VDA. VDA is a provider of home care services, whose area of operation includes the regions of Noord-Oost Brabant and Nijmegen. It is not yet active in the region of the Land van Cuijk. As part of transfer procedures, relevant STBNO staff as well as consenting clients will be handed over to VDA. The NMa takes the view that a viable entry of VDA into the home care markets in the region of the Land van Cuijk, is sufficiently safeguarded.

In its assessment of the merger, the NMa consulted the Netherlands Health Authority (to be established shortly). The latter has indicated that the conditions imposed by the NMa, resolve the merger's possibly adverse effects.