Healthcare business loans: Do our partners offer both secured and unsecured options?

Quick answer: Yes — our partner network can arrange both secured and unsecured healthcare business loans. Which one suits your clinic, dental practice, private surgery or care home depends on how much you need, what assets you can offer as security, the purpose of the funds and how quickly you need them. Submit a Free Eligibility Check to get matched with lenders and brokers who specialise in healthcare finance.

Note: UK Business Loans introduces businesses to lenders and brokers. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry is free and no obligation — and it will not affect your credit score.

Table of Contents

• Short answer: Do our partners offer both secured and unsecured loans?
• What is a secured healthcare business loan?
• What is an unsecured healthcare business loan?
• Which option is best for healthcare businesses?
• How UK Business Loans matches healthcare businesses to lenders and brokers
• Typical healthcare use-cases & recommended finance types
• Eligibility, timescales & application tips
• Costs, transparency & protections
• FAQs
• Ready to compare secured & unsecured healthcare finance?

Short answer: Do our partners offer secured and unsecured loans?

Yes. UK Business Loans works with a broad panel of finance providers that include:

• Secured providers — commercial mortgage lenders, asset finance and equipment funders, and specialist care-home financiers who accept property or high-value medical kit as security.
• Unsecured providers — unsecured business loans, short-term cashflow funders, merchant cash advances and invoice finance providers for businesses with eligible invoices.

Which of these is suitable for your business will depend on loan size (we typically place loans from around £10,000 upwards), purpose and the risk you — and any guarantors — are willing to take.

What is a secured healthcare business loan?

A secured healthcare loan uses an asset as collateral against the borrowing. If repayments are not kept up, the lender can take steps to recover the outstanding debt from the secured asset.

Common forms of security in healthcare include:

• Freehold or leasehold property (clinics, surgeries, care homes) — typical for commercial mortgages and large capital loans.
• Medical equipment — finance or hire-purchase for MRI, CT scanners, dental chairs, dialysis machines or other high-value kit (the equipment itself is usually the security).
• Business assets such as vehicles, stock or plant used in specialist healthcare services.
• Personal guarantees from directors — common as an additional security layer.

Typical benefits of secured finance:

• Access to larger loan amounts (suitable for premises purchase or expensive equipment).
• Potentially lower interest rates and longer terms compared with unsecured options.
• More flexible structuring for acquisitions and refinancing.

Downsides to consider:

• Risk of repossession or forced sale if you default.
• Valuation and legal processes take longer — expect a lengthier approval timeline.

Example: A private diagnostic clinic needs £250,000 to buy a refurbished MRI scanner. Asset finance secured against the scanner or a commercial loan secured on clinic property are typical solutions.

What is an unsecured healthcare business loan?

Unsecured loans don’t take a fixed asset as collateral. They are based primarily on your business’s financial profile and ability to repay.

Common unsecured options used in healthcare include:

• Unsecured business loans — for working capital, temporary staffing or consumables.
• Merchant cash advances — suitable for businesses with card sales.
• Short-term bridging and cashflow loans — for urgent needs where speed matters.
• Invoice finance — not technically unsecured, but can be used without property security by using outstanding invoices as collateral.

Benefits:

• Faster access to funds and simpler paperwork.
• No direct charge over property or major assets in many cases.

Drawbacks:

• Generally higher interest rates and fees.
• Lower maximum borrowing amounts than secured finance.
• Lenders may require strong trading history, profitability or director guarantees.

Example: A dental practice needs £25,000 to cover temporary staff and consumables during a busy period — an unsecured business loan or invoice finance could be the fastest route.

Which option is best for healthcare businesses? (How to choose)

Deciding between secured and unsecured finance comes down to the following factors:

• Amount required — large purchases (premises, major kit) usually suit secured lending; smaller working-capital needs often use unsecured products.
• Asset availability — if you have valuable equipment or property you’re willing to secure, you can access larger, cheaper loans.
• Urgency — unsecured loans are typically quicker; secured loans may take longer due to valuations and legal checks.
• Credit profile — unsecured lenders rely heavily on trading performance and director credit records; secured lenders may be more flexible if assets provide adequate cover.
• Term — long-term expansion or purchase of premises usually points to secured finance; short-term gaps point to unsecured.

What lenders will consider:

• Business age, turnover and profitability
• Purpose of funding and expected return on investment
• Existing debts and security already in place
• Director backgrounds and any existing personal guarantees

How UK Business Loans matches healthcare businesses to lenders and brokers

Our process is designed to be fast and tailored:

1. Complete a short enquiry — amount, purpose (equipment/premises/working capital), business details.
2. We match you to selected lenders and specialist brokers with healthcare experience.
3. Partners contact you with eligibility feedback and quotes so you can compare terms.

We do not lend. Our role is to introduce you to providers who can deliver the right solution for your sector and circumstances. Submitting an enquiry is free, confidential and no obligation — and it will not affect your credit score.

Get Quote Now — complete a Free Eligibility Check to see which secured or unsecured options match your needs.

Typical healthcare use-cases & which finance suits them

• Buying medical equipment (MRI, dental suites) — typically equipment finance or hire-purchase secured against the asset.
• Premises purchase or refurbishment — commercial mortgage or property-secured loan.
• Working capital (payroll, temporary staff) — unsecured loans, invoice finance or short-term cashflow facilities.
• Practice acquisitions & buy-ins — acquisition finance often blends secured loans with director guarantees.
• Expansion or multiple-site roll-outs — combination of asset finance and property-secured borrowing.

Mini case studies:

• Clinic upgrade: A private clinic replaced two dental chairs using equipment finance; repayments matched equipment lifespan and the chairs acted as security.
• Care-home acquisition: An operator purchased a 40-bed home with a commercial mortgage secured on the property, enabling lower monthly cost vs unsecured options.
• Short-term staffing: A private physiotherapy chain used an unsecured short-term loan to cover seasonal staffing and recovered the cost from increased patient income.

For a more detailed overview of sector-specific products and lenders, read our guide to healthcare business loans.

Eligibility, timescales & application tips

Documents lenders commonly request:

• Recent business accounts (typically 1–3 years) or management accounts
• Bank statements (3–6 months)
• Cashflow forecasts and details of the loan purpose
• Quotes or invoices for equipment or works
• Proof of ID and company documents

Typical timescales:

• Unsecured loans: often approved within days to two weeks.
• Asset finance: usually a few days to a couple of weeks once documentation is provided.
• Secured commercial mortgages: several weeks to a few months (valuations, surveys and legal work can extend timelines).

Tips to improve your chances:

• Be clear on the loan purpose and show how it will support income or efficiency.
• Prepare up-to-date accounts and a realistic cashflow forecast.
• Get multiple quotes for equipment or works to show value for money.
• Disclose any existing defaults or CCJs up front — transparency helps partners find the right option.

Costs, transparency & protections

Costs vary by loan type. Ask each provider for a full breakdown including:

• Interest rate and representative APR where applicable
• Arrangement fees, valuation fees and legal costs
• Early repayment charges and any balloon payments

Important: Always request written terms and compare total cost (interest + fees) and not only the headline rate. UK Business Loans introduces you to lenders and brokers who will supply full terms and disclosures.

Protection and risk notes:

• Secured loans can lead to repossession of property or assets on default.
• Directors may be asked for personal guarantees — these can affect personal creditworthiness.
• If unsure, consider independent professional advice before signing any agreement.

Frequently asked questions

Do your partners provide loans for care homes?

Yes — many partners specialise in care-home finance, including property-secured mortgages, working capital and equipment funding for care facilities.

Can newer healthcare businesses apply for unsecured loans?

Some lenders and brokers will consider newer businesses for unsecured funding, but approval often depends on trading performance, turnover and director support. We match your enquiry to the most suitable partners.

Will applying through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No. Submitting our enquiry does not affect your credit file. Lenders may perform credit checks only if you progress to a formal application with them.

How quickly will I receive quotes?

Responses vary. For unsecured options you may hear back within hours or days. Secured options typically take longer due to due diligence and valuations.

Do you charge me for making an introduction?

No — our service is free for businesses. We earn a fee from partners only if you proceed with their service, which does not increase your quoted cost.

Can I finance equipment without using property as security?

Yes. Many equipment finance deals are secured against the equipment itself, not your premises — ideal for practices that don’t want to place charges on property.

Ready to compare secured & unsecured healthcare finance?

If you need funding for equipment, premises or working capital, start with a quick, no-obligation Free Eligibility Check. We’ll match you with lenders and brokers who understand healthcare and can provide suitable secured or unsecured options.

Get Quote Now — complete our short enquiry and receive tailored quotes by phone or email. Your details are handled securely and shared only with selected partners to help you get the best match.

Submitting an enquiry does not commit you to borrow and will not affect your credit score. UK Business Loans is an introducer — not a lender or regulated financial adviser. Offers are provided by third-party lenders and brokers and are subject to their terms and credit checks.

1. Do your partners offer both secured and unsecured healthcare business loans?
Yes — our network of lenders and brokers arranges both secured (property or equipment-backed) and unsecured healthcare business loans and will match you to the right option via a Free Eligibility Check.

2. How much can I borrow for a healthcare business loan?
Typical loan amounts range from around £10,000 to several million depending on the lender, purpose (equipment, premises, expansion) and available security.

3. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — submitting an enquiry is a soft search only and will not affect your credit score unless you progress to a formal application with a lender who performs a hard check.

4. How quickly can I get funding for medical equipment or working capital?
Unsecured loans and equipment finance can often be arranged in days to a few weeks, while property-secured commercial mortgages usually take several weeks to a few months.

5. Can I finance medical equipment without using my property as security?
Yes — many equipment and asset finance deals use the medical kit itself (e.g., MRI, dental suites) as collateral rather than placing a charge on your premises.

6. What documents do lenders commonly require for a healthcare business loan?
Lenders typically ask for recent business accounts or management accounts, 3–6 months of bank statements, ID and company documents, cashflow forecasts and supplier quotes or invoices.

7. Can start-ups or newer healthcare businesses get unsecured funding?
Some lenders and brokers will consider newer healthcare businesses for unsecured loans, but approval often depends on turnover, trading history, director support and the strength of forecasts.

8. Are the brokers and lenders you introduce regulated and trustworthy?
Yes — we work with reputable, FCA-regulated brokers and lenders who specialise in healthcare finance and follow industry compliance standards.

9. Do you charge businesses to use UK Business Loans or to be matched with lenders?
No — our introducer service is free for businesses; we receive fees from partners only if you proceed, which does not increase your quoted cost.

10. Will I be asked for personal guarantees or put my property at risk?
Possibly — depending on loan type, amount and credit profile, lenders may request director personal guarantees or take security over property or assets, so always review written terms carefully.