Bupa sees Europe and North America profits drop by 22%

The healthcare provider reported a £35m profit for the first six months this year, down on the £45m posted for the same period last year.

Revenues also edged down by 2% during the period to £1.436bn (H1 2011: £1.464bn).

It came despite group revenues recording a 5% increase to £4.118bn for the first six months this year (H1 2011: £3.929bn) and post-tax profits also growing by the same amount to £255.3m (H1 2011: £244.1m).

Last month, Bupa stirred up debate across the intermediary market by