Lendus.

Healthcare Business Loans

Finance your GP surgery, pharmacy, care home, or private clinic with specialist healthcare lending. Lendus compares 200+ lenders including those who understand NHS contracts and CQC requirements.

200+ UK lenders
2-minute application
No credit check to apply
FCA-regulated brokers

Typical Range

£15k – £5m

Average Loan

£275k

for healthcare

Decision Speed

24–48 hrs

for unsecured loans

Eligibility requirements

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Loan types available

Unsecured Business Loan

Rate
5.9% – 19.9% APR
Term
1 – 5 years
Security
No security required
Best for
Medical equipment, IT systems, practice refurbishments, and compliance upgrades

Secured Business Loan

Rate
3.9% – 12.9% APR
Term
3 – 25 years
Security
Practice premises, care home property, or residential property
Best for
Practice acquisition, care home purchase, premises expansion, and large equipment investments

Asset Finance

Rate
4.5% – 10.9% APR
Term
2 – 7 years
Security
The medical equipment being financed
Best for
Diagnostic equipment, treatment beds, ultrasound machines, defibrillators, and pharmacy dispensing systems

Representative example

Borrow £275,000 over 36 months at 9.9% APR (fixed). Monthly repayment: ~£8,861. Rates depend on your circumstances and the type of loan.

Market context

The UK private healthcare market is worth approximately £12.4 billion annually. There are over 6,500 GP practices, 15,000 care homes, 11,500 community pharmacies, and thousands of private clinics operating across the UK. The sector employs over 1.5 million people outside of the NHS.

Common challenges

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Bad credit?

Several of our 200+ lenders work with healthcare businesses that have imperfect credit. You may need a personal guarantee or higher rate, but options exist. Checking your options here does not affect your credit score, because we do not run a credit search to match you. A lender will run their own checks only if you decide to apply.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a loan to buy a GP practice or pharmacy?
Yes, healthcare practice acquisitions are well-supported by specialist lenders. GP practice purchases are typically valued at 1-2 times annual earnings, while pharmacies command 1.5-3 times annual pre-tax profit depending on location and NHS contract value. Lenders can fund up to 100% of the purchase price for strong practices with stable income. Key factors include NHS contract values, patient list size, CQC rating, and the terms of any premises lease. Lendus works with lenders who specialise in healthcare transactions.
What finance is available for care home acquisition or development?
Care home finance is a specialist area with typical acquisition costs ranging from £500,000 to £5 million+. Lenders assess occupancy rates, fee income (local authority vs self-funded residents), CQC rating, staffing costs, and property condition. A commercial mortgage with 60-70% LTV is the standard route for freehold purchases. For new-build care homes, development finance funds the construction phase. Lendus can connect you with lenders experienced in care home transactions who understand the sector's unique dynamics.
How does CQC rating affect my ability to get healthcare finance?
Your CQC rating significantly impacts lending decisions. A Good or Outstanding rating gives lenders confidence in your business and will attract the best rates and terms. A Requires Improvement rating does not prevent you from borrowing but may result in higher rates, lower LTVs, or additional conditions. An Inadequate rating will make borrowing very difficult until improvements are evidenced. If you are acquiring a practice with a lower rating, demonstrating your plan to improve it (with your track record of CQC compliance) can help.
Can I finance medical equipment for a private clinic?
Absolutely. Asset finance is ideal for medical equipment, from treatment chairs (£2,000-£10,000) to ultrasound machines (£15,000-£100,000) and laser systems (£20,000-£150,000). The equipment acts as security, so you don't need additional collateral. Repayment terms of 3-7 years are standard. For a full clinic fit-out including multiple pieces of equipment, a single unsecured business loan may be simpler to manage. Lendus can compare both approaches to find the most cost-effective option.

Equipment finance for healthcare businesses

Buying a specific machine or vehicle is usually cheaper than a general business loan, because the asset itself is the security. These are the items healthcare businesses most often fund, with the price range we see quoted in the UK.

Equipment Typical price range Finance page
Aesthetic Laser £10k to £60k Aesthetic Laser finance
Anaesthetic Machine £15k to £60k Anaesthetic Machine finance
Autoclave £3k to £30k Autoclave finance
Body Contouring Machine £10k to £70k Body Contouring Machine finance
Centrifuge £2k to £20k Centrifuge finance
Cryotherapy Machine £8k to £90k Cryotherapy Machine finance
Ct Scanner £80k to £400k Ct Scanner finance
Defibrillator £1k to £15k Defibrillator finance
Dental CAD/CAM £15k to £70k Dental CAD/CAM finance
Dental Chair £7k to £45k Dental Chair finance
Dental Compressor £2k to £20k Dental Compressor finance
Dental Autoclave £3k to £15k Dental Autoclave finance

Browse all equipment finance pages

Understand the loan structures

The table above shows what a healthcare business borrows for. These pages explain how each kind of borrowing actually works, what it costs and who it suits.

Business loans for bad credit Government-backed business loans Merchant cash advance Revolving credit facilities Business loans with no personal guarantee Secured business loans Start up business loans Unsecured business loans

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Guides and resources

How to Get a Business Loan Business Loan Eligibility Secured vs Unsecured Best Business Loans UK iwoca Review Funding Circle Review

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