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. Hospital da Arrábida and Clíria in the north of Portugal also reported strong growth despite capacity restrictions which are being addressed with construction projects, started in 2008 and expected to be complete in 2009. Hospital de Arrábida and Clíria reported a growth of 13.0% and 12.0% respectively, and are consistent with previous years.