Close Brothers Healthcare division specialises in asset finance for dentists, GPs, veterinary surgeons, and aesthetic practitioners. Hire purchase is the primary product - you own the equipment at the end of the term. Rates shown are representative starting points for well-qualified applicants as of October 2026; your actual rate depends on credit profile, practice tenure, and loan size.
Close Brothers Healthcare Finance Rates - October 2026
| Equipment Type | Product | Term | Rate From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental chair / surgery equipment | Hire Purchase | 3–7 years | 5.4% APR |
| CBCT scanner | Hire Purchase | 3–7 years | 5.7% APR |
| MRI / CT scanner (large ticket) | Hire Purchase | 5–7 years | 5.9% APR |
| Laser / aesthetic equipment | Hire Purchase | 3–5 years | 6.2% APR |
| GP surgery fit-out | Hire Purchase | 5–7 years | 6.0% APR |
| Veterinary equipment | Hire Purchase | 3–7 years | 5.9% APR |
| Practice purchase finance | HP / Specialist | 5–10 years | Bespoke |
Rates are representative APR figures for well-qualified applicants and are subject to credit assessment. The above are not guaranteed rates. Speak to us for an indicative quote based on your specific circumstances.
Who Close Brothers Healthcare Lends To
Eligible Borrower Types
Sole Trader Dentist Practice Owner GP / MBBS Veterinary Surgeon Aesthetic Practitioner Limited Company
Close Brothers Healthcare accepts sole trader dentists and GPs - a key advantage over mainstream lenders who often require a limited company structure. A recognised professional qualification (BDS, MBBS, BVSc) is treated positively in credit assessment and can reduce the effective rate offered.
Minimum trading history requirements vary by ticket size. For new practices or practitioners within their first two years, a personal guarantee is typically required alongside the finance agreement.
Understanding the Products
Hire Purchase (HP)
Under HP, you make fixed monthly payments over an agreed term. Legal title passes to you automatically at the end - no balloon, no residual value risk. You can claim the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) on the asset in the year of purchase, which can significantly reduce your tax liability. For a £100,000 CBCT scanner, 100% AIA means a £20,000 tax saving for a 20% taxpayer in year one.
Finance Lease (Available on Request)
Finance lease is available for practices where cashflow is the primary concern. Monthly payments are lower because no capital is repaid, and VAT is spread across the rental payments rather than paid upfront. You do not own the equipment at the end, though a secondary rental period is common at a peppercorn rate.
Practice Purchase Finance
Close Brothers Healthcare can structure finance that spans both goodwill (the practice purchase price) and equipment. This requires a specialist arrangement - the rates above do not apply to goodwill finance, which is assessed separately and typically at higher rates. We can package both components and present to Close Brothers as a single structured proposal.
How We Work With Close Brothers Healthcare
Doulton Bridging Finance submits applications to Close Brothers Healthcare as an appointed broker. We prepare your application pack - accounts, cash flow forecasts, professional qualification evidence, and asset quotes - and present it in a way that maximises your chance of best-rate approval. We also hold relationships with Wesleyan Bank, Aldermore, and Shawbrook, so if Close Brothers is not the right fit, we can move quickly to an alternative.