BAEMS sold to EMED Group in pre-pack administration after HMRC winding-up petition

BAEMS Ltd, trading as Bristol Ambulance EMS, entered administration on 22 May 2026, with administrators completing an immediate sale of the patient transport and specialist ambulance services business to EMED Group in a pre-pack transaction designed to preserve service continuity across Bristol and the South West.

Nick Harris and Lucinda Coleman of PKF Francis Clark were appointed joint administrators of BAEMS and completed the sale of the business and assets to EMED Group immediately following their appointment. The transaction transfers approximately 315 employees, 120 ambulances and operations across 7 depots to EMED, a national provider of specialist transport and care services.

BAEMS provides patient transport and specialist ambulance services to patients, NHS partners and healthcare organisations across the South West. The sale was structured to avoid disruption to those services, with the administrators having worked with commissioners and partners before their appointment to support a smooth transition of contracts and operations.

The transaction followed a sale process conducted before the administration, during which the company and its advisers explored options to secure the future of the business. The administrators said the process involved negotiations with several interested parties and was focused on protecting jobs and maintaining critical healthcare transport services.

EMED Group is expected to integrate BAEMS’ operations on a phased basis, including systems and back-office functions, while working with local operational teams and NHS partners to maintain patient care and service delivery during the transition.

The administration also follows a winding-up petition brought by HM Revenue & Customs. As part of their statutory duties, the administrators will investigate BAEMS’ financial position and the circumstances leading to the petition, with findings to be reported to creditors in due course.

The administrators were assisted by Paul Evans of PME Consulting, Andrew Knox, restructuring and insolvency partner at Stephens Scown, and valuation agents Simon Bamford and Josh Chivers of Gordon Brothers.