Overview — Why medical equipment finance matters

Healthcare providers today must balance patient care, compliance and rapidly evolving technology with limited capital budgets. Buying scanners, surgical robots or laboratory analyzers outright ties up significant capital and can slow the adoption of equipment that improves outcomes and operational efficiency.

Medical equipment finance provides a flexible route: loans, hire purchase, operating & finance leases, sale & leaseback and refinancing let you acquire the devices you need while preserving working capital. Gable Asset Finance specialises in arranging tailored funding for the full range of healthcare assets — from MRI machines and CT scanners to ventilators, infusion pumps and digital pathology systems.

Who we help

We structure funding for a broad cross-section of healthcare organisations across the UK, including:

• NHS Trusts and hospital groups (where permitted by procurement rules)
• Independent hospitals and surgical centres
• Private clinics (diagnostics, oncology, cardiology)
• Dental practices and orthodontic clinics
• Outpatient centres and physiotherapy clinics
• Medical laboratories and pathology providers
• Care homes and community health services requiring medical devices
• Veterinary practices and animal hospitals (medical devices for animal care)

How medical equipment finance works

There are several common structures — each has benefits depending on whether you want ownership, flexibility, off-balance treatment, or tax efficiency.

Loans

Standard equipment loans let you borrow the funds to purchase equipment and become the owner at outset. Repayments are structured over an agreed period and can be fixed-rate for budgeting certainty. Loans suit organisations that prefer ownership and want to claim capital allowances.

Hire Purchase (HP)

With HP you pay an initial deposit followed by monthly instalments. Ownership transfers after the final payment. HP combines predictable payments with eventual ownership and is commonly used for mid-to-high value medical devices.

Operating Lease

An operating lease allows you to rent equipment for a period without owning it. At term-end you can return, renew or upgrade. Leasing is attractive for equipment with fast technological advances (e.g., digital imaging consoles, IT-enabled devices) and can provide operating-cost treatment for accounting and tax.

Finance Lease

A finance lease is similar to HP but legal ownership remains with the lessor until a purchase option is exercised. It is used when the borrower wants long-term use and predictable payments but prefers the lessor to manage certain ownership risks.

Sale & Leaseback

If you already own equipment, sale & leaseback unlocks capital: sell the asset to a funder and lease it back to continue using it. This frees up cash for expansion, working capital, or other capital expenditure.

Refinancing / Asset-Based Lending

Borrow against the value of existing equipment to release liquidity. Refinancing is often used alongside growth plans, acquisitions, or to consolidate expensive short-term borrowing.

Typical medical equipment we finance

Our funding can cover a broad spectrum of clinical and technical assets. Representative categories include:

Diagnostic Imaging

• MRI scanners (1.5T, 3T and specialty systems)
• CT scanners (multi-slice CT systems)
• X-ray systems (digital radiography, fluoroscopy)
• Ultrasound machines (2D, 3D/4D, Doppler)
• PACS servers, workstations and diagnostic displays

Surgical & Interventional

• Operating theatre equipment — surgical tables, lighting
• Minimally invasive systems and laparoscopic towers
• Robotic surgery platforms (e.g., robotic arms)
• Endoscopy towers, arthroscopy systems
• Sterilisation and decontamination units (autoclaves)

Patient Monitoring & Critical Care

• Patient monitors (bedside & transport)
• Ventilators and respiratory support systems
• Infusion pumps and PCA devices
• Telemetry and remote monitoring platforms

Laboratory & Diagnostics

• Chemistry and haematology analyzers
• PCR machines, centrifuges, flow cytometers
• Pathology digital scanners and lab automation
• Laboratory information systems (LIMS) and IT fit-out

Other Clinical & Facility Assets

• Dental chairs and imaging systems
• Rehabilitation equipment and physiotherapy devices
• Hospital beds, mattresses and hoists
• Pharmacy automation and dispensing robots
• Medical gas systems and HVAC critical infrastructure

Benefits of financing medical equipment

• Preserve cash flow: Avoid large one-time capital outlays and keep reserves for pressing operational needs.
• Access modern technology: Get the latest diagnostic and treatment devices to improve care and attract referrals.
• Budget certainty: Fixed monthly payments aid financial planning and reduce unpredictable capital calls.
• Tax & accounting advantages: Depending on structure, rental payments may be deductible and owned assets eligible for capital allowances.
• Upgrade flexibility: Leasing makes it easier to refresh equipment as technology advances.
• Quick deployment: Finance often accelerates procurement compared with waiting for capital budgets.

Choosing between loans, HP and leasing — practical guidance

Selecting the right product depends on clinical need, asset life, accounting preference and tax strategy.

When to choose a Loan or HP

• When you want eventual ownership (e.g., MRI, CT where long useful life is expected).
• If capital allowances and depreciation tax relief are central to your strategy.
• When you can afford a deposit or when you want to reduce total finance cost over life.

When to choose an Operating Lease

• Where rapid technology obsolescence is likely (IT, consoles, some imaging peripherals).
• When you prefer operating costs, off-balance treatment (subject to accounting rules), and regular upgrades.
• If low monthly cash outlay is a priority.

When to choose Sale & Leaseback or Refinance

• If you need immediate liquidity without losing operational use of equipment.
• For balance sheet management and to free capital for strategic initiatives.

Industry trends shaping medical equipment procurement

1. Shift to digital & AI-enabled diagnostics

Medical imaging and pathology increasingly rely on AI algorithms and cloud-enabled analytics. Hospitals are upgrading PACS, investing in digital pathology scanners, and adding compute/IT infrastructure. Financing often bundles hardware with software licences and installation.

2. Growth in outpatient and ambulatory care

Diagnostics and minor procedures are moving closer to patients via outpatient centres and one-day surgical units. These sites demand compact imaging, point-of-care testing and portable monitoring devices — finance solutions that support multi-site rollouts are in demand.

3. Focus on infection control and sterilisation

The pandemic underscored investment in sterilisation, HVAC upgrades and consumable automation. Facilities are financing autoclaves, rapid sterilisation units and facility HVAC retrofits to meet higher standards.

4. Workforce pressures and automation

Lab automation, pharmacy robotics and automated specimen handling reduce manual steps and improve throughput. Financing supports capital-intensive automation that improves productivity and reduces labour bottlenecks.

5. Sustainability & energy efficiency

Hospitals are investing in energy-efficient imaging systems, LED lighting, and HVAC optimisations. Financing can be tailored to green projects and blended with government incentives or green bonds where available.

Tax, VAT and accounting considerations (UK healthcare)

Understanding tax implications is critical when structuring medical equipment finance. Always consult an accountant for tailored advice, but the points below are widely applicable:

Capital Allowances & Annual Investment Allowance (AIA)

Equipment purchased outright or via HP will usually qualify as plant & machinery. The AIA allows qualifying expenditure to be written down in full in the year of purchase up to the prevailing limit — an important cashflow and tax planning tool.

VAT treatment

VAT on purchases must generally be paid upfront and reclaimed via VAT returns (subject to partial exemption rules for mixed use). Leasing spreads VAT across rentals, which can ease initial cash demands but may affect reclaim mechanics. Medical charities and some NHS-related services have special VAT rules — seek expert guidance.

Lease accounting

New lease accounting standards mean many leases create right-of-use assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. Discuss with your finance team how operating vs finance leases affect covenants and reporting. Short-term leases and low-value exceptions may apply in narrow cases.

Tax efficiency examples (illustrative)

Example A — Hire Purchase: Buy a £500,000 CT scanner on HP with 10% deposit and 60 monthly repayments. Ownership transfers at term-end. You may claim capital allowances on the purchase value to reduce taxable profits in year 1 (subject to rules), improving cashflow.

Example B — Operating Lease: Lease a £120,000 ultrasound fleet on a 36-month operating lease. Rentals are charged as operating expenses and typically deductible against taxable income in the period they are incurred.

Case studies — real outcomes

Procurement, suppliers and dealer vs broker finance — what to consider

Many equipment suppliers and manufacturers offer vendor finance. While convenient, vendor deals can sometimes be more expensive or less flexible than independent brokered solutions. Gable Asset Finance compares multiple lenders and structures to find competitive rates and tailor terms to clinical needs.

• Vendor finance: Easy one-stop procurement, but may limit negotiation on price and cross-sell packages.
• Independent broker: Access to a wide lender panel, bespoke structuring, and negotiation on inclusions such as maintenance and training.
• Hybrid approach: Combine vendor discounts with brokered lending to achieve best total cost of ownership.

Application checklist — what lenders typically require

To speed approvals and secure competitive terms, provide the following:

1. Latest company accounts (2–3 years) and recent management accounts.
2. Bank statements (3–6 months) and details of any existing debt or charges.
3. Supplier quotations / pro-forma invoices with itemised costs and lead times.
4. Clinical justification and service income projections (if revenue-backed).
5. Cashflow forecast showing repayment capacity (12–36 months).
6. Details of service & maintenance agreements and warranty terms.
7. Evidence of regulatory approvals and equipment CE/UKCA marking if applicable.
8. Insurance arrangements and planned installation works.

Common questions (FAQ)

Can charities and NHS bodies use your finance products?

Yes. We work with charities and NHS-affiliated organisations, but public sector procurement rules and internal governance must be respected. We can structure solutions that align with public procurement and grant funding where appropriate.

Do you finance used or refurbished medical equipment?

Yes. Quality used equipment with service history, calibration records and inspection certificates can be financed. Lenders assess residual value and useful life—terms may be shorter than for new equipment.

How long does it take to secure finance?

Simple HP or lease deals can be agreed in under two weeks once documentation is provided. Complex projects involving installation, shielding works (for radiology), or multi-asset bundles may take 4–8 weeks or longer depending on third-party approvals.

Can maintenance and service contracts be included?

Yes. Bundling maintenance, warranties and installation into the finance package simplifies budgeting and supplier accountability. Lenders often favour funded deals with comprehensive service arrangements.

What about decommissioning and disposal?

End-of-term options include purchase, return, upgrade or managed disposal. For radiology and other regulated devices, decommissioning must meet environmental and medical waste regulations. We help plan for end-of-life costs and options.

Next steps — how Gable Asset Finance supports you

1. Initial call: Tell us about your equipment list, budget and timing.
2. Proposal: We prepare a tailored finance recommendation with cost comparisons (HP vs lease vs loan).
3. Supplier liaison: We coordinate quotes, delivery schedules and installation milestones with vendors.
4. Application: We submit to selected lenders and negotiate terms on your behalf.
5. Drawdown & delivery: Funds are released to suppliers as equipment is delivered and commissioned.
6. Aftercare: End-of-term planning, refinancing options and further procurement support.