Can funding cover CQC compliance upgrades and infection control improvements?

Short answer: yes — many UK business finance options can be used to fund CQC compliance upgrades and infection prevention and control (IPC) improvements for regulated health and care providers.

Lenders routinely fund compliance-led works such as clinical fit-outs, decontamination equipment, ventilation and filtration, hand hygiene stations, and staff training systems. The right facility depends on your use of funds, asset type, and cash flow, and approvals are always subject to status and provider criteria. Best Business Loans does not lend or give advice, but we can introduce you to lenders and brokers who may be able to help.

What counts as CQC compliance and IPC improvements?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) expects providers to meet fundamental standards, which include clean, safe environments and effective infection prevention and control. In practice, this often means investing in the premises, equipment, policies, and training that underpin safe care. For many providers, upgrades are essential both to meet regulation and to maintain or improve inspection ratings.

Examples of eligible projects include clinical refurbishments, IPC zoning and workflow, medical-grade floor and wall finishes, and compliant storage of sterile supplies. They also include ventilation and air quality improvements, water safety controls, washer-disinfectors and autoclaves, and digital tools for audit, reporting, and staff training. For dentistry, reference frameworks include HTM 01-05; for decontamination and sterile services, HTM 01-01; and for water safety, HTM 04-01.

Typical infection control upgrades funded by businesses include:

Autoclaves, washer-disinfectors, and instrument tracking systems
Air handling units, HEPA filtration, negative pressure rooms, and UV-C solutions
Clinical sinks, hands-free taps, and hand hygiene stations
Antimicrobial surfaces, coved vinyl floors, and hygienic wall cladding
Legionella controls, thermostatic mixing valves, and monitoring technology
Clinical waste storage, laundry upgrades, and PPE logistics
Digital audit tools, staff IPC training platforms, and policy management systems

For official guidance on infection prevention and cleanliness, see the CQC’s IPC information for providers and the NHS’s Health Technical Memoranda. These are helpful when scoping works and selecting equipment vendors.

What funding types can pay for CQC and IPC upgrades?

Most compliance and IPC projects blend capital expenditure (equipment and works) and operational costs (training and audits). Multiple finance routes can be used, either standalone or combined. Asset finance, unsecured term loans, and fit-out finance are common for this purpose, alongside facility-based options to protect cash flow.

Popular options include unsecured business loans for multi-item projects and phased refurbishments. Asset finance and leasing can fund autoclaves, washer-disinfectors, HVAC equipment, and digital systems, with terms aligned to asset life. Fit-out and refurbishment finance can cover contractors, materials, floorings, and hygienic cladding within a bundled project.

Invoice finance may assist multi-site operators with NHS or private B2B receivables, unlocking working capital during upgrades. Business lines of credit can provide flexible drawdowns for staged works and supplier deposits. Where eligible, the Growth Guarantee Scheme may support lending by offering lenders a partial government guarantee.

Typical costs and what lenders pay for

Providers commonly finance design and compliance consultancy, building works and building services, and fixed fixtures and hygienic finishes. They also finance decontamination and sterilisation equipment, ventilation and filtration upgrades, and commissioning, testing, and staff training. Many providers bundle vendor maintenance and extended warranties in asset finance or leasing, helping plan lifecycle costs.

If your project involves HVAC or building engineering works, it can be helpful to align funding with your contractors’ milestones. If you are a building services contractor delivering IPC-compliant projects for clients, you may also explore specialist finance — see our page on building services loans for more context.

Every provider sets its own criteria, rates, and security requirements. Unsecured borrowing may rely on trading strength and credit, while larger projects or higher-risk profiles may require security or personal guarantees. We will connect you with suitable lenders and brokers so you can compare terms without contacting multiple firms yourself.

Eligibility, documents, and timeframes for approvals

Established health and care businesses in England can often access commercial finance for compliance-led upgrades. Lenders typically look at time trading, turnover, profitability, existing obligations, and the purpose and outcomes of the project. Your CQC registration status and inspection history can provide useful context.

Commonly requested information includes filed accounts, recent management figures, business bank statements, and project plans or quotes. For asset finance, lenders may request equipment specifications, vendor details, and warranties. For fit-out and refurbishment finance, you may need contractor quotes, schedules, and building control approvals.

Timeframes vary by product and complexity. Unsecured loans can sometimes be decided quickly once documents are complete and checks are done. Asset finance decisions for standard equipment can also be swift, while larger, multi-vendor refurbishments may involve staged approvals and drawdowns.

What you may need to provide

Company details, directors’ information, and CQC registration
Last two years’ accounts and recent bank statements
Project scope, vendor quotes, and anticipated timelines
Evidence of compliance frameworks being followed (e.g., HTM references)
Existing finance commitments and any security available

Best Business Loans supports established UK businesses only and does not currently support start-ups, sole traders, franchises, property finance, or commercial mortgages. Finance is subject to status and provider criteria, and the final decision rests with the lender or broker you engage.

How Best Business Loans helps you get to “compliant” faster

Our platform helps you navigate business finance with clarity and speed. We use intelligent matching to introduce you to lenders or brokers that actively consider CQC and IPC-led projects in healthcare and care settings. It is free to submit your details and there is no obligation to proceed.

Here is how it works in four steps. You complete a short Quick Quote form with your business and project details. Our system reviews your profile and matches you to suitable providers.

We then introduce you directly to relevant lenders or brokers, saving you time and reducing repeat conversations. You compare options, decide what fits your cash flow and timeline, and progress your chosen route at your pace.

What you can fund through our network

Decontamination equipment, sterilisation, and tracking systems
Ventilation upgrades, HEPA filtration, and pressure control
Hygienic refits, floors and walls, and clinical wash stations
Digital compliance, IPC audits, and training platforms
Multi-site rollouts and phased refurbishment programmes

We do not claim to secure the lowest rates every time. Our aim is to connect you with appropriate providers, help you move quickly, and put you in control of your choices. Submit your Quick Quote to check potential eligibility and next steps.

Planning your compliance project, FAQs, and key takeaways

Successful CQC and IPC upgrades start with a clear scope aligned to the CQC’s expectations. Map your current gaps, prioritise risk-reduction items, and confirm which works fall under HTMs or manufacturer validation. Agree milestones with vendors and set realistic commissioning and staff training windows.

Build a funding plan that matches cash flow and asset life. Unsecured loans may suit softer costs and small refurb items, while asset finance can match longer-life equipment to the term. Ensure you capture installation, commissioning, validation, and maintenance in the budget to avoid surprises.

Measure outcomes and document compliance. Keep validation certificates, water safety logs, HVAC commissioning reports, and staff training records accessible for inspection. Post-project, keep an improvement plan that demonstrates ongoing IPC assurance.

FAQs

Can I finance autoclaves, washer-disinfectors, and HVAC works?
Yes. Asset finance and leasing are commonly used for decontamination equipment and ventilation upgrades, including HEPA filtration and pressure control systems, subject to status.

Can finance cover training, audits, and software?
Many lenders allow funding for related soft costs within a broader project. This depends on the provider and product; unsecured loans often work well for mixed spend categories.

How fast can I get funding for a CQC action plan?
Timeframes vary by product size and complexity. Straightforward unsecured or asset finance can sometimes be assessed quickly once documents are provided, while multi-vendor refits take longer.

Will I need security or a personal guarantee?
It depends on the lender, loan size, and your business profile. Unsecured facilities may rely on trading strength, while larger or higher-risk facilities may require security or guarantees.

Do you lend directly?
No. Best Business Loans is an introducer. We connect you with lenders or brokers who may be able to help, so you can compare options.

Key takeaways

Yes — business finance can cover CQC compliance upgrades and infection control improvements.
Common routes include unsecured loans, asset finance, leasing, and fit-out finance.
Eligible items range from autoclaves and HVAC to hygienic finishes and digital IPC tools.
Prepare clear scopes, quotes, and timelines to speed up approvals.
Submit a Quick Quote to be introduced to suitable UK providers, fast and with no obligation.

Compliance and transparency notice
Information on this page is for UK businesses and general information only. It is not financial advice, and finance is subject to status, affordability checks, and provider terms. Best Business Loans operates as an independent introducer and may introduce you to FCA-authorised lenders or brokers; we do not offer loans directly. Always review costs, terms, and risks before proceeding.

Updated: October 2025

Helpful resources:
CQC guidance for providers |
NHS Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs) |
British Business Bank – Growth Guarantee Scheme

Get Your Free Quick Quote Now to check potential eligibility for CQC and IPC project funding.