Scottish Rugby has today secured a new partner, Spire Healthcare, in a three-year, six-figure deal. The agreement was hailed by Dr James Robson, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Medical Services, doctor to the Scotland team and the leading medic on the last four tours by the British and Irish Lions.Scottish Rugby has today secured a new partner, Spire Healthcare, in a three-year, six-figure deal. The agreement was hailed by Dr James Robson, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Medical Services, doctor to the Scotland team and the leading medic on the last four tours by the British and Irish Lions. He said: “I’m looking forward to working closely with our new health care partner. This three year sponsorship provides us with a further excellent opportunity to enhance the levels of care given to players and staff alike, especially as Spire Murrayfield Hospital is so close to the national stadium. “Player welfare has always been regarded as a top priority in Scottish Rugby and Spire will augment the range of expertise that is at our disposal.” John Keating, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Spire Murrayfield Hospital, one of the 25 Spire Healthcare hospitals in the UK, said: “We’re very pleased that Spire Healthcare has decided to sponsor Scottish Rugby. It’s a very exciting development for Spire Murrayfield Hospital, with the spectrum of medical expertise we have, we know we will be able to deliver first-class diagnosis and an excellent standard of clinical care for Scottish Rugby. We look forward to being of service.” The partnership was launched at Murrayfield Stadium today by Dr Robson and Scotland squad members, prop Euan Murray and centre Nick de Luca. De Luca (Edinburgh) said: “Given the intensity of the physical challenge we face it’s important that such high priority is given to our medical back-up and as players we do appreciate that.” Spire Healthcare is one of the leading independent hospital providers in the UK with a 25 year heritage of customer service and clinical excellence. It was formed last year from the sale of BUPA Hospitals to leading private equity company Cinven. Spire Healthcare has 25 hospitals across the UK, providing services for private and insured patients as well as NHS. It also offers cosmetic and weight-loss surgery. Its hospitals carryout more than 160,000 in-patient and day-case treatments a year and work with over 3,000 consultants. It is proud to be the first independent hospital group to publish clinical outcome data. Facts and figures on Spire Murrayfield Hospital Number of staff: approximately 400 Number of consultants: 281 Number of beds: 70 There have been no cases of MRSA at Spire Murrayfield Hospital In 2007 93% of patients rated their service as excellent or very good.