Reuters Holdings Plc is in talks to acquire the Whittle Communications unit Medical News Network. Reuters made no further comment on its healthcare activities. Earlier this year Reuters acquired VAMP Health Ltd a UK computer network providing patient data services to doctors (CI No 1,376). Whittle hopes to be able to close a deal within six to 12 weeks and would not guarantee continued operation of the unit after that point if no deal were reached. According to a Reuter report one Whittle source said another potential buyer was one of the Baby Bell regional telephone companies teaming up with an undisclosed group. Whittle is one third owned by Time Warner Inc.
