Equipment & Asset Finance for Care Homes & Healthcare Clinics
Published: 1 November 2025 | Last reviewed: 1 November 2025
Author: UK Business Loans editorial team (sector-reviewed by a senior finance partner)
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Summary (Quick answer)
Yes — healthcare clinics and care homes can obtain equipment finance through UK Business Loans. We don’t lend directly; instead we introduce care providers to specialist lenders and brokers who offer asset and equipment finance solutions (arranging funding typically from £10,000 and above). Complete a free eligibility enquiry and we’ll match you to providers who understand healthcare equipment needs. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
Why clinics & care homes use equipment finance
Healthcare providers face a wide range of capital needs. New and replacement equipment is essential to safe, efficient care — but buying outright can tie up cash needed for staffing, compliance and day-to-day running costs.
Common healthcare equipment needs include:
- Patient beds, pressure-relief mattresses and hoists
- Laundry and commercial washing/drying systems
- Catering and commercial kitchen equipment
- Diagnostic machines (ultrasound, X-ray, ECG)
- Specialist therapy or dental chairs
- Practice IT, electronic health records (EHR) and clinical software
- Vehicles for patient transport and service logistics
Benefits of financing vs outright purchase:
- Preserve working capital and cashflow
- Spread cost over useful life — easier budgeting
- Access newer technology with lower upfront cost
- Possible tax and accounting benefits depending on structure
- Sale & leaseback can release cash tied up in existing assets
For more on the broader options available to businesses, see our detailed business finance overview on business finance.
What kinds of equipment finance are available for healthcare providers?
Asset finance (Hire Purchase & Finance Lease)
Hire Purchase (HP) lets you spread repayment and often results in ownership at the end. Finance lease lets you benefit from the asset without owning it — suitable where you prefer off-balance-sheet options. Terms typically 2–7 years depending on equipment life; deposits vary but many lenders offer low-deposit or zero-deposit deals for qualifying borrowers.
Operating lease / rental
Operating leases are essentially long-term rentals where the lender retains ownership and you pay for use. Useful for equipment that becomes obsolete quickly (e.g., IT or diagnostic tech). Maintenance and upgrade options often bundled.
Sale & leaseback
If you already own expensive equipment, a sale & leaseback frees up capital: you sell the equipment to a funder and lease it back immediately. Ideal for established care homes with high-value plant (laundry, boilers).
Vendor & manufacturer finance
Many manufacturers and distributors provide in-house finance programs or refer to preferred funders. These can be quick and tailored to specific equipment types.
Specialist medical lenders & NHS framework lenders
Some lenders and broker partners specialise in healthcare, understanding NHS placements, CQC requirements and equipment lifecycles. These specialists can be especially helpful for larger clinics or multi-site care groups.
Eligibility: who can apply and what lenders typically look for
UK Business Loans will match suitable healthcare businesses with lenders and brokers. Typical eligible entities include limited companies, LLPs and care operators running registered premises. We arrange finance for requirements from around £10,000 upwards.
Lenders commonly assess:
- Trading history and length (many lenders prefer >12 months trading)
- Turnover and cashflow — evidence of ability to meet repayments
- Profitability or management accounts for recent months
- Credit status of the business (and sometimes directors)
- Contract stability — e.g., long-term care placements or NHS contracts
- Asset type, age and resale value (used equipment accepted by many lenders if in good condition)
Helpful documents to have ready:
- Latest 1–3 years’ accounts or management accounts
- Recent bank statements (typically 3–6 months)
- Equipment quote or supplier invoice
- Details of any security or existing finance secured against assets
Typical terms, costs and example scenarios
Indicative ranges (for guidance only):
- Term lengths: commonly 2–7 years (longer for vehicles/plant)
- Deposits: from 0% up to 20% depending on lender, borrower strength and asset
- Rates: depend on credit, asset and term — lenders set pricing after assessment; UK Business Loans does not promise rates
Hypothetical Example 1 — 10‑bed care home laundry system
New laundry plant cost £45,000. Using hire purchase over 5 years with a small deposit, the monthly repayments spread the cost while keeping cash available for staffing and compliance works.
Hypothetical Example 2 — Clinic diagnostic equipment lease
A private clinic leases an ultrasound machine for a 3‑year operating lease, including maintenance. The clinic preserves capital and keeps the asset off its balance sheet for the lease period.
Actual offers and rates depend on lender assessment, asset specifications and borrower circumstances.
How UK Business Loans helps healthcare providers
UK Business Loans is a specialist introducer: we gather a short set of details and match you to lenders and brokers with healthcare experience. Our process is fast and free:
- You complete a short enquiry form — it’s not an application and won’t affect your credit score.
- We match your request to specialist partners who can provide quotes and guide you through documentation.
- Lenders/brokers contact you directly with offers; you compare and choose.
We do not provide regulated financial advice or lend directly. Our role is to connect you with providers who can deliver the most suitable equipment finance solution for your care setting.
Step-by-step: applying via UK Business Loans
- Complete our 2-minute enquiry form with basic business and equipment details.
- We match you to 1–3 specialist lenders or brokers suited to healthcare equipment finance.
- A lender/broker contacts you to request documents and provide a no-obligation quote.
- Compare offers, negotiate terms, and proceed directly with the lender you choose.
Risks, common pitfalls & compliance points
Before accepting any finance, check:
- Total cost of finance including fees, maintenance, and interest
- Early termination or upgrade clauses and associated penalties
- Who is responsible for maintenance, insurance and software support
- Whether the structure transfers ownership at the end (HP) or not (lease)
Regulatory & practical notes: always read lender disclosures and terms. Some finance products and providers are regulated; others are not. UK Business Loans does not provide regulated advice. If unsure, seek independent professional advice for complex or high-value deals.
Frequently asked questions
Can care homes get equipment finance through UK Business Loans?
Yes. We introduce care homes and clinics to specialist lenders and brokers who offer equipment and asset finance from around £10,000 upwards.
Can charities or non-profit care operators apply?
Yes — many lenders consider charity or non-profit providers, though documentation and eligibility checks vary by lender.
Do lenders accept used equipment?
Often yes — if the equipment has sufficient value and expected lifespan. Terms depend on condition and resale value.
Will making an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — completing our enquiry form is not a credit application. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you proceed with an application.
How quickly will I receive quotes?
Many lenders can respond within hours; more complex or high-value requests may take a few working days.
Mini case studies
Care home — laundry upgrade (anonymised)
A 28‑bed private care home needed a new commercial washer and dryer (£36,000). UK Business Loans introduced a broker who arranged a hire purchase over 5 years with affordable monthly payments, freeing cash for staffing and compliance works.
Clinic — diagnostic equipment (anonymised)
A multi-clinic GP group leased ultrasound equipment using an operating lease with maintenance included, keeping the latest technology available across sites.
Ready to see your options?
Complete our free, no-obligation enquiry and we’ll match your clinic or care home with lenders/brokers who specialise in healthcare equipment finance. It takes 2 minutes and won’t affect your credit score.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
Legal disclaimer: UK Business Loans introduces businesses to lenders and brokers. We are not a lender and do not provide regulated financial advice. Use of our service is free and without obligation. Lenders and brokers may perform credit checks if you proceed. All finance applications are subject to lender criteria. Terms and conditions apply.
1) Can care homes and healthcare clinics get equipment finance through UK Business Loans?
Yes — UK Business Loans introduces care homes and clinics to specialist lenders and brokers offering equipment and asset finance from around £10,000 with a free eligibility check.
2) What types of equipment finance are available for care homes and clinics?
Common options include hire purchase (HP), finance leases, operating leases/rental, vendor/manufacturer finance and sale & leaseback tailored for healthcare assets.
3) Will completing the enquiry form affect my credit score?
No — the enquiry is not a credit application and won’t affect your credit score; lenders may run checks only if you proceed with a formal application.
4) Can charities or non-profit care operators apply for equipment finance?
Yes — many lenders and brokers consider charity and non-profit care providers, though documentation and eligibility checks vary by lender.
5) Can I finance used medical or care equipment?
Often yes — many specialist lenders accept good‑quality used equipment depending on age, condition and residual resale value.
6) How quickly will I receive quotes after submitting an enquiry?
Many lenders can respond within hours, while more complex or high‑value requests may take a few working days to produce formal quotes.
7) What documents should I have ready when applying for equipment finance?
Typical documents include supplier quotes or invoices, the last 1–3 years’ accounts or recent management accounts, and 3–6 months of business bank statements.
8) What are typical terms, deposits and rates for healthcare equipment finance?
Terms commonly range from 2–7 years (longer for vehicles/plant), deposits from 0–20% depending on lender and asset, and rates set after lender assessment of credit and asset details.
9) What’s the difference between hire purchase and an operating lease for equipment?
Hire purchase spreads repayments and usually results in ownership at the end, whereas an operating lease is a long‑term rental where the funder retains ownership and can include maintenance.
10) Can sale & leaseback free up cash from existing care home equipment?
Yes — sale & leaseback lets you sell owned equipment to a funder and lease it back immediately to release capital for staffing, compliance or other needs.
