Can healthcare businesses qualify for the scheme?

Yes. Clinics, dental practices, pharmacies, care providers, medical suppliers, and other healthcare businesses may qualify if they are UK-based, viable in the lender’s assessment, and can demonstrate affordability and a clear business purpose for the funds.

What types of finance are available under the scheme?

Eligible facility types commonly include term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, and invoice finance. Terms typically extend up to six years for term loans and asset finance, and up to three years for overdrafts and invoice finance facilities, subject to lender policy.

How much can I borrow under the scheme?

The maximum is often up to £2 million per business group in most of the UK. In Northern Ireland, different subsidy limits may apply. The amount you can access depends on lender assessment, affordability, security, and subsidy control rules.

Do I get a government guarantee on my loan?

No. The government guarantee is provided to the lender, not the borrower. You remain 100% liable for the debt and for any security or personal guarantees you agree to.

Will I need to give a personal guarantee?

Personal guarantees may be requested at lender discretion based on risk and facility type. Your principal private residence cannot be taken as security under scheme rules.

What documents will I need to apply?

Typically: recent management accounts, last two years’ statutory accounts, six months of bank statements, details of NHS/commissioner or private contracts, a cash flow forecast, and for asset finance, supplier quotes. Invoice finance applications also require aged debtor reports.

How can BestBusinessLoans.ai help?

We are an independent introducer. Our platform matches your healthcare business profile to suitable lenders and brokers, including those participating in the Growth Guarantee Scheme. You can compare options and proceed if they fit your needs. There’s no obligation to accept an offer.

What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme and can my healthcare business qualify?

Q: What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme?

The Growth Guarantee Scheme is a UK government-backed guarantee programme delivered by the British Business Bank that helps viable SMEs access finance through accredited lenders. The guarantee supports the lender, not the borrower, and businesses remain fully liable for repayment.

Short answer

The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is a UK government-backed guarantee programme, delivered by the British Business Bank, that helps viable small and medium-sized businesses access finance through accredited lenders. It supports a range of facilities — term loans, overdrafts, asset finance and invoice finance — and offers lenders a government guarantee on a portion of the loan to encourage lending. Healthcare businesses such as clinics, dental practices, pharmacies, care providers, and medical suppliers may qualify if they meet the scheme and lender criteria and can demonstrate affordability.

1) The Growth Guarantee Scheme explained

What the GGS is and why it exists

The Growth Guarantee Scheme is designed to improve access to finance for UK SMEs by giving accredited lenders a government guarantee on eligible facilities. The guarantee is to the lender, not to the borrower, and businesses remain 100% liable for the debt. The scheme replaced and evolved from earlier programmes, with the current iteration expected to run until at least March 2026 subject to government announcements.

Facilities are provided by participating banks, specialist lenders, and asset and invoice finance providers approved by the British Business Bank. Each lender sets its own credit policy, rates, and security requirements within scheme rules. The scheme can be used for growth, working capital, investment in equipment, and other legitimate business purposes.

Typical maximum funding available under the scheme is up to £2 million per business group in most of the UK. Businesses in Northern Ireland may be subject to different subsidy control limits, so always check your circumstances with an accredited lender. Facility limits, pricing, and eligibility can vary between providers.

How the guarantee works in practice

The government provides a guarantee to the lender on a portion of the facility if the borrower defaults. This support gives lenders more confidence to lend to viable businesses that might otherwise struggle to meet standard criteria. It does not reduce your liability — you remain fully responsible for repayment and for any security or guarantees you provide.

Lenders must still assess affordability and sustainability, and they will consider trading performance, cash flow, and sector risks. Healthcare is generally viewed as resilient, but individual sub-sectors (for example, private elective procedures or care homes with high agency costs) may face closer scrutiny. Lenders decide which applications to approve and on what terms.

As with any finance, charges, interest, and fees are payable by the borrower. There are no universal interest caps published for the scheme; pricing is lender-specific and risk-based. Always compare terms and understand total cost before proceeding.

Eligible facility types and typical terms

Term loans

Used for investment, expansion, refurbishments, acquisitions of equipment, or to bolster working capital. Terms often range up to six years depending on lender policy and your credit profile. Fixed or variable rates may be available, with fees disclosed in your offer.

Overdrafts and revolving credit

Flexible working capital lines to help manage timing gaps and seasonal fluctuations. Terms are typically up to three years, with renewals subject to lender review. Interest is usually charged on drawn balances, plus arrangement and renewal fees.

Asset finance and invoice finance

Asset finance can help you acquire medical equipment, vehicles, or technology without a large upfront outlay. Invoice finance can unlock cash from NHS, local authority, or private invoices to improve cash flow. Tenors typically extend to six years for asset finance and up to three years for invoice finance facilities.

2) Can my healthcare business qualify?

Core scheme criteria most lenders look for

To be eligible, a business typically must be UK-based and generating trading activity in the UK. Most lenders require turnover within SME thresholds (often up to £45 million) and evidence that the business is viable in the lender’s assessment. The facility must be for business use only, not personal or property investment.

You must not be subject to insolvency proceedings at the time of application and you must meet subsidy control limits. Some sectors are excluded (for example, banks, insurers, and certain public-sector bodies), but healthcare providers, suppliers, and services are generally eligible. Individual lenders may have additional criteria beyond the scheme minimums.

Length of trading, profitability, and cash flow coverage will influence decisions. Several lenders can support businesses with shorter trading histories if other strengths are present, such as strong contracted revenue or robust asset security. Each case is assessed on its merits.

What “good” looks like in healthcare

Healthcare firms with stable recurring income, clear visibility of patient or contract revenue, and prudent cost control tend to be viewed favourably. Examples include NHS and local authority suppliers, pharmacies with consistent script volume, established dental practices, and regulated care providers with strong occupancy and CQC ratings. Solid management information and a clean payment history can strengthen your case.

Demonstrating how the funds will support growth or efficiencies is important. For example, financing new diagnostic equipment, refurbishing treatment rooms, adopting digital systems, or expanding domiciliary care capacity. Lenders want to see a clear link between the finance and improved resilience, revenue, or margin.

Where revenue is concentrated among a small number of commissioners or private insurers, lenders may ask for additional detail on contract terms and renewal risk. Transparent disclosure and signed contracts can help speed up assessment.

Who may struggle to qualify and why

Pre-revenue start-ups, businesses in acute financial distress, or firms with unresolved tax arrears may find it difficult to qualify. The scheme supports viable businesses; it is not a grant or turnaround fund. Heavily loss-making operations without a credible plan to return to break-even may be declined.

Property development or speculative property investment is not an eligible use. Facilities that primarily refinance existing government-backed loans without a clear benefit may face additional scrutiny. Where directors have recent unpaid CCJs or significant compliance issues, some lenders may request stronger security or decline the application.

Lenders are required to lend responsibly, and approval is always at their discretion. If you are unsure, a no-obligation eligibility check can help you understand options without impacting your credit score with multiple hard searches.

3) Costs, security and practical considerations

Pricing, fees and total cost

Interest rates and fees are set by each accredited lender within scheme rules and based on risk. You may encounter arrangement fees, documentation fees, and annual renewal fees for revolving products. For asset or invoice finance, additional service or facility fees can apply.

Request an itemised breakdown of all charges and the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) or equivalent measure, where applicable. For invoice finance, check advance rates, recourse terms, and concentration limits. For asset finance, confirm balloon payments, residuals, and fair market value options.

Always compare the total cost over the full term, including fees and any early settlement charges. Ask for a draft amortisation schedule for term loans to understand cash flow impact.

Security and personal guarantees

Security requirements vary by lender, facility type, and risk profile. Many lenders will take standard business security such as debentures, chattel mortgages on equipment, or assignment of receivables. For invoice finance, the sales ledger typically acts as the primary security.

Personal guarantees may be requested at lender discretion. Your principal private residence cannot be taken as security under scheme rules. If personal guarantees are proposed, ask your lender to explain the extent of the guarantee and any caps.

Maintain up-to-date asset registers and valuation evidence for high-value medical equipment. Clear records help lenders make faster and better-informed security assessments.

Subsidy control, multiple facilities and existing borrowing

The scheme sits under UK subsidy control rules, and in Northern Ireland may intersect with EU State aid rules. Cumulative subsidies across programmes may count towards limits, so disclose any relevant support you have received. Your lender will advise how this affects your capacity under the scheme.

It can be possible to hold more than one GGS-backed facility across different providers or products, subject to the overall cap and lender appetite. Equally, you may refinance non-scheme borrowing where it delivers a clear business benefit, such as lower cost or improved cash flow. Lenders decide case by case.

Many healthcare firms combine a term loan for investment with an invoice finance line for working capital. If you sell to the NHS, commissioners, or private insurers on credit terms, invoice finance can help align cash inflows with payroll and supplier cycles.

4) How BestBusinessLoans.ai helps healthcare firms check eligibility

Simple steps to get matched

Best Business Loans is an independent introducer. We do not supply loans; we help you explore suitable finance options through accredited lenders and experienced brokers. Our platform uses intelligent matching to save you time and connect you to providers who are active in healthcare.

Three quick steps: complete a short Quick Quote form, let our system match your profile to relevant lenders, and review introductions without obligation. There is no charge to submit an enquiry and you stay in control throughout. We aim to help you find realistic options faster and with less effort.

We can help with term loans, asset finance, invoice finance, overdrafts, and GGS-backed options where applicable. If the scheme is not the right fit, we will aim to signpost alternatives that may suit your needs better.

What to have ready for a faster outcome

Have recent management accounts, last two years’ statutory accounts, and six months of business bank statements ready. Prepare details of your NHS, local authority, or insurer contracts, plus any major private payor agreements. For asset finance, include supplier quotes and equipment specifications.

Provide a brief use-of-funds summary and cash flow forecast showing affordability. Include CQC ratings or relevant accreditations for care providers, and evidence of insurance coverage. The clearer your information, the quicker lenders can assess eligibility.

If you are considering a refinance, include copies of current finance agreements and settlement figures. For invoice finance, supply aged debtor reports and concentration details.

Why healthcare firms use Best Business Loans

We connect you with lenders and brokers who understand healthcare income models, from script-driven pharmacy revenues to block contracts and private treatment lists. That sector understanding can lead to more relevant offers and smoother onboarding. You will not need to repeat the same information to multiple providers.

We are transparent that we cannot guarantee the cheapest rate every time. Our focus is helping you find providers who are actively lending in your niche and can move at the right pace. You can proceed, negotiate, or walk away — it is your choice.

If you manage facilities or estates teams alongside clinical operations, you may also find our industry guides useful, such as our overview of building services loans for capital upgrades. Cross-functional planning can improve both patient experience and financial resilience.

5) FAQs, decision checklist and key takeaways

Common healthcare-specific questions

Can NHS or commissioner contracts help? Yes, contracted and recurring income is valued; provide copies and renewal timelines. Do care homes qualify? Many do, especially with stable occupancy, strong CQC ratings, and well-controlled staffing costs. Can dentists or pharmacies apply? Yes, established practices with clear revenue visibility often qualify subject to affordability.

What are the maximum terms? Term loans and asset finance commonly run up to six years; overdrafts and invoice finance up to three years. Do I get a government guarantee? No, the guarantee supports the lender, and you remain fully liable for the debt. Will I need a personal guarantee? Possibly; it is lender-specific and your home cannot be taken as security.

How quickly can funding complete? Timelines vary by product, lender capacity, and readiness of documents. Clear, complete information and prompt responses typically shorten decision times. Our matching process is quick to start and designed to reduce back-and-forth.

Practical decision checklist

Purpose: Can you show how funding supports growth, efficiency, or resilience?
Affordability: Do cash flows comfortably cover repayments even with rate changes?
Evidence: Have you prepared accounts, bank statements, contracts, and forecasts?
Structure: Which facility type fits your need — term loan, overdraft, asset or invoice finance?
Total cost: Have you compared rates, fees, terms, covenants, and settlement clauses?

If you can tick most of the above, a GGS-backed option could be viable. If not, alternative funding routes may be better for now. Either way, an eligibility check can clarify your position with no obligation.

Ready to explore options? Submit a Quick Quote on our website to get matched to relevant providers for your healthcare business. It is fast to start, secure, and designed to be clear, fair, and not misleading.

Key takeaways

The Growth Guarantee Scheme helps viable UK SMEs access finance via accredited lenders, with a government guarantee to the lender only.
Healthcare firms can qualify if they are UK-based, viable, and can demonstrate affordability and a clear business purpose.
Facility types include term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, and invoice finance, with typical tenors up to six years for loans and assets.
Lenders set pricing and security; personal guarantees may be requested, but your home cannot be taken as security.
BestBusinessLoans.ai is an introducer — we help you get matched to suitable providers, compare options, and make informed decisions.

Important information and compliance

Best Business Loans is an independent introducer, not a lender. We do not provide financial advice. Any introductions may be to FCA-authorised firms where required, and all finance is subject to status, terms, and affordability checks.

The government guarantee supports the lender, not the borrower. You remain 100% liable for repayment of any facility you take. Always review full terms and seek professional advice if you are unsure.

Information in this article is for general guidance only and may change. For official scheme details, visit the British Business Bank website. Last updated: October 2025.