GOTHENBURG, Sweden, April 22, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Polyclinique Marzet was partially closed today by order of the French Health Ministry and Regional Hospital Administration (Agence Regionale d'Hospitalisation-ARH). The closure is temporary and limited to a maximum of 30 days. During this period, operations must be reorganized in accordance with the instructions of the authorities. All reception (outpatient) activities are being conducted as usual, but all patients in the clinic have been moved to clinics in the immediate area.
After inspection, the French Health Ministry and ARH criticised the physicians' handling of patients. The physicians are sole proprietors and are not employed by the clinic. In the current, very limited information, there is no criticism of the clinic nor its employed personnel.
More information from the authorities regarding the closing and the stated criticism is expected in the days immediately ahead.
Until further notice, the employed personnel will report for work as usual for further training and to work with quality and improvement tasks.
Polyclinique Marzet has annual revenues of about EUR 15 M. Operations include surgery, oncology and medical treatment, but it is also has an outpatient care department and X-ray facilities. The clinic has 240 employees. The operations have been included in the Capio Group since November 2002.
Gothenburg, April 22, 2003 Capio AB, (publ) (Other OTC:CPOOF)
For more information, please contact:
Paul Hokfelt, Senior Vice President, Head of Capio Healthcare France +33 688 05 91 60
Marie Wickman, Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Capio AB, +46 702 070 874
Catherine Gros, Head of Press Contacts, Capio Healthcare France, +33 689 87 61 64
Ulrika Stenson, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Capio AB, +46 705 900 723
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