Espírito Santo Saúde (‘ESS’) is a principal private healthcare provider in Portugal. The company operates hospitals, out-patient clinics, residential hospitals as well as care of senior care residencies and has been participating in the Public-Private Partnership programmes. Turnover at the healthcare operator in 2008 rose by 49.0%, from EUR 124.4 million to EUR 185.3 million. ESS hopes that 2009 will be a year of continued growth and a step closer to their aim of medical excellence and a benchmark in innovation; furthermore they hope to play an integral part in the care and lives of the Portuguese community.