Summary — short answer

Yes — clinics and care homes can usually access quick funding to upgrade or replace equipment. Options include asset finance, hire purchase, leasing, short‑term loans, invoice finance and alternative funding. Speed and cost depend on the product, the borrower’s trading history and the paperwork available. Many businesses receive first offers or an indicative decision within hours and funds in as little as 3–10 business days for typical equipment transactions. To get a tailored, no‑obligation comparison, start a Free Eligibility Check: Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Quick answer: what “quick funding” typically means

• Initial contact / lead response: often within hours on business days.
• Indicative approval or terms: 24–72 hours for common products.
• Funds available: typically 3–10 business days once documentation is provided; some short‑term or alternative lenders can provide funds same‑day.
• Typical funding sizes for equipment: from ~£10,000 up to £1m+ depending on lender and asset value.

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Why clinics & care homes need fast equipment finance

Delays in replacing or upgrading key equipment can affect care delivery, safety and revenue. Examples include sterilisation units, X‑ray/diagnostic equipment, hoists and beds, laundry and kitchen machinery, oxygen concentrators and patient monitoring systems. Fast funding helps you avoid service interruption, meet compliance expectations and protect occupancy and reputation.

If you’re also reviewing broader borrowing options, see our small business loans page for context on typical facilities and lenders: small business loans.

Fast finance options explained

Which option works best depends on urgency, cost tolerance, whether you want ownership and the asset type. Below are the core products and their typical speed, pros and cons for healthcare providers.

Asset finance / Equipment finance

What it is: a lender buys the equipment and leases it to you or advances funds so you can acquire it. Speed: often 2–10 business days once quotes and paperwork are supplied.

Pros: preserves working capital, can be structured to include VAT treatment, finance matched to asset life. Good for high‑value diagnostic or clinical kit. Cons: secured against the equipment and may require provider quotations and inspections.

Hire purchase

What it is: spread payments over a fixed term and you typically own the asset after final payment. Speed: similar to asset finance; deposit may be required. Pros: straightforward ownership path. Cons: early settlement charges may apply.

Finance lease

What it is: long‑term rental; you return the asset at lease end unless a purchase option exists. Speed: often quick for new equipment with manufacturer partnerships. Pros: lower up front cost. Cons: no ownership without purchase option; VAT considerations.

Invoice finance & cashflow loans

What it is: release cash tied to unpaid invoices or take short‑term loans to cover immediate needs. Speed: same day to 48 hours for facility draws. Pros: quick liquidity without specific asset security. Cons: costlier than long‑term finance; not ideal for buying expensive equipment outright.

Short‑term business loans & bridging

What it is: unsecured or secured short‑term loans to cover urgent purchases. Speed: funds in a few days; some lenders quicker. Pros: rapid access. Cons: higher rates and fees; best for temporary gaps.

Merchant cash advance & alternative lenders

What it is: repay via a percentage of card takings or daily debits. Speed: often very quick. Pros: easy access for businesses with strong card turnover. Cons: can be expensive — watch effective APR and repayment structure carefully.

Grants & public funding

What it is: one‑off grants for green tech, accessibility or NHS‑linked equipment projects. Speed: usually slow (weeks to months) and competitive. Check gov.uk and NHS or local authority schemes for eligibility — useful for partially subsidising projects but not for urgent purchases.

Quick tip: for urgent high‑value clinical assets, asset finance or hire purchase with a specialist healthcare broker often balances speed and cost best. To compare options quickly, Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

What lenders and brokers will ask for

Being prepared shortens timescales. Typical requirements include:

• Trading history — many lenders prefer 6–12 months minimum.
• Turnover and projected income, recent management accounts.
• Bank statements (usually last 3–6 months).
• Equipment quotes, supplier invoices, photos or serial numbers for used kit.
• Business registration details (limited company/LLP), VAT status if applicable, CQC registration where relevant.
• ID and proof of address for directors.

Having supplier quotes, service histories for used equipment and maintenance agreements ready will speed approval.

Typical costs & important warnings

Costs vary widely by product and risk profile. Indicative guidance (illustrative only):

• Asset finance/hire purchase: representative rates often in the mid‑single digits to low‑double digits (e.g. 3–15% p.a.) depending on credit and asset.
• Short‑term loans, bridging and MCAs: generally more expensive; effective APRs can be 20%+ for some products.
• Invoice finance: fees depend on advance rate and facility fee — compare negotiated examples.

Watch for arrangement fees, documentation fees, VAT handling, early repayment charges and maintenance responsibilities. Always request full representative examples and terms from any lender before agreeing. If a deal looks too cheap or too fast, check the total cost and repayment profile carefully.

Timescales & how to speed up approval

Simple steps to move faster:

• Provide clear supplier quotes and exact equipment details up front.
• Upload recent bank statements and management accounts with your enquiry.
• Confirm the authorised signatory who will approve terms.
• Be transparent about existing finance and any adverse credit — brokers can then match appropriate lenders quickly.
• Use a specialist healthcare finance broker (we match you to those who know the sector).

Because we specialise in matching sector‑specific requirements, our introducer service often produces lender contact within hours and an indicative offer in 24–72 hours. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Short real‑world case studies

How UK Business Loans helps you find quick equipment finance

Our process is designed to be fast and low effort:

1. Complete a short enquiry (under 2 minutes).
2. We match your case to lenders and brokers who specialise in healthcare equipment finance.
3. Receive rapid contact with indicative terms and timescales, compare offers and choose the best fit.

Our introduction service is free and confidential. We are an introducer — not a lender. Submitting an enquiry is not an application and will not affect your credit score. If you want a direct, no‑obligation comparison, Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Frequently asked questions

Can a care home get a loan with poor credit?

Some lenders and specialist brokers consider businesses with imperfect credit, but terms will usually be less favourable. Being transparent about cashflow and providing strong supporting documents improves your chance of a workable offer.

How long does equipment finance approval take?

It varies: asset finance and hire purchase commonly complete in 3–10 business days; invoice finance and some short‑term facilities can be faster. Delays usually come from missing documents.

Is equipment finance cheaper than a standard business loan?

Often yes for equipment tied to the asset life because the asset provides security; unsecured business loans may have higher rates. Compare representative examples before deciding.

Do lenders accept used medical equipment as security?

Some do, provided a valuation, service history and warranty/maintenance arrangements are acceptable. Expect lower advance rates and additional inspection requirements.

Will applying for a quote affect my credit score?

No — submitting an initial enquiry through our introducer platform does not affect your credit score. Lenders may run credit checks only once you progress to a formal application.

Can recently established clinics get equipment finance?

Yes — some lenders and vendor finance schemes work with newer businesses, especially where the asset has demonstrable resale value or the borrower provides a solid business case. Availability varies.

Are there grants for green or energy‑efficient healthcare equipment?

Occasionally. Local authority, NHS or government grant schemes sometimes support energy‑saving upgrades. Grants are rarely quick or guaranteed; use them to supplement finance where possible.

Need equipment now? Get matched to lenders in hours

Start a Free Eligibility Check — no obligation, quick and confidential. We’ll match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in healthcare and care home equipment funding so you can compare real offers fast.

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UK Business Loans is not a lender and does not provide regulated financial advice. We act as an introducer, connecting you with lenders and brokers. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. Lenders may request further checks if you proceed to an application.