Finance for medical and dental practices
Predictable income, regulated entry and low failure rates — the profile lenders like most, with specialist funders competing for the business.
Request a callback- Commonly funded
- Acquisition, fit-out, equipment
- Typical facilities
- Term loans, asset finance
- Lender focus
- Registration and patient base
This page describes what businesses in this sector typically fund and what lenders generally look for. It is not a recommendation, and what is available to you depends on your own circumstances.
About medical & dental
Healthcare practices are among the most sought-after borrowers in the market. Patient demand is steady, professional registration keeps competition limited, and practice failure is rare compared with almost any other sector. Several lenders run dedicated healthcare teams as a result.
That competition works in your favour, particularly on practice acquisition, where terms are often longer and more generous than a comparable business in another sector would achieve. Equipment funding is similarly well served, though very specialised clinical kit narrows the panel and needs a lender who understands it.
What practices fund
- Acquiring a practice, buying into a partnership or funding a goodwill purchase.
- Surgery fit-out, chairs, cabinetry and decontamination facilities.
- Imaging equipment, including digital radiography and cone beam scanners.
- Specialist clinical, veterinary and laboratory equipment.
- Practice management systems and patient record software.
- Premises purchase or refurbishment, including converting existing buildings.
What lenders assess
- Professional registration and regulatory standing of the practitioners.
- The mix of NHS, insured and private income, since each behaves differently.
- Patient list size, retention and the demographics of the catchment.
- For acquisitions, how much goodwill depends on a departing principal.
- Associate arrangements and how stable the clinical team is.
Frequently asked
Can I borrow the full cost of buying a practice?
Healthcare lending is often more generous than in other sectors, and high proportions of the purchase price can sometimes be funded for a qualified buyer with relevant experience. Lenders will still want to see a personal contribution and a credible handover.
Is NHS income treated differently from private?
Yes. Contracted NHS income is highly predictable and lenders value it accordingly. Private income can be more profitable but is more exposed to local competition and economic conditions, so the mix affects how a practice is assessed.
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We will tell you which funders lend into your industry, and roughly what they are likely to say.
