Priory Group

The Priory Group is an independent provider of mental health care facilities in the United Kingdom. They also provide Schools, some for Asperger's Syndrome (and High-Functioning Autism) pupils. The chief executive is Chai Patel.

They operate at nearly fifty different sites but they are best known for their alcohol and drug treatment centres.

The company runs four types of facility; acute psychiatric hospitals, secure psychiatric units, rehab hospitals and special schools. It was founded in the early 1980s with the purchase of The Priory in London by an American healthcare company.

In 2002, the group was sold for £288 million. The company was sold again in July 2005 for £875 million, netting the five company directors over £50 million.

Controversy
The healthcare group appeared in the media spotlight in 2005 following allegations of poor care at its homes. Dr Patel was represented at the General Medical Council hearing by the brother of one of the company's leading consultants. A consultant who had previously been brought before the General Medical Council to answer claims of sexual misconduct with a patient, but he was later cleared.

Further controversy surrounds the company due to the action of some of its high profile consultants. Dr Rowan, founder of the group's eating disorder treatment regime is accused of taking cash gifts from a patient and getting her to change her £1.5 million will in his favour.