Entrepreneur Chai Patel, a doctor and former Chief Executive of Priory Group, formed HC-One, which became operational on 1 November 2011.

In 2015, HC-One acquired 30 care homes from Meridian Healthcare in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire.

[6] A multi-agency review into HC One's Blar Buidhe Care Home in the Outer Hebrides is under way following a number of concerns raised over the dietary programmes of residents.

"[11] In May 2019, HC-One received a £270,000 fine after a resident at its Lomond Court Care Home in Fife died after eating a chlorine cleaning tablet.

[12] A documentary episode from Panorama in 2021, titled Care in Crisis: Follow the Money, showed that one–fifth of HC-One's self-funders' weekly fees are used to finance debt, build up investment and provide a financial return to investors.

Former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Jeremy Hunt said the findings were "utterly shocking", adding: "It is the unacceptable face of capitalism and is wholly inappropriate considering the point of the sector is to look after our most vulnerable people.

[18] In May 2020, staff members told of their concerns over alleged failings in the care of suspected coronavirus patients in homes in Scotland.

As of May 2020, 207 HC-One residents in Scotland had died with Coronavirus which – at the time – equated to 14% of all care home deaths linked to COVID-19 in the country.

The resident, who had previously suffered from a stroke and had been diagnosed with dementia, was assessed as being at high risk of choking and was on a "minced and moist/fork mashable" diet.

An investigation by the HSE found that staff who gave out snacks at Orchard Care Home had not been properly trained and did not have awareness of food that was suitable for each diet.

[23] An investigation from the BBC in October 2023 revealed that 46 allegations across four years were recorded by police at the five homes run by HC-One in Cambridgeshire.