How Doctors Are Funding Their Private Practice in 2025: 5 Smarter Alternatives to Personal Loans

Traditionally, the answer has been to go to your local bank, dip into savings, or take out a personal loan. But in 2025, with lending models changing and new providers emerging, doctors have better — and more flexible — options.

Below are five ways Irish medical professionals are funding their practice in 2025.

Some are traditional, some are new. Not all are created equal.

1. Personal Loans (and Why They’re a Red Flag)

Let’s start with the most common but least ideal route.

Many doctors take out personal loans from banks to cover practice-related expenses — whether that’s purchasing equipment, funding a short-term gap, or setting up a new clinic. While easy to access in some cases, personal loans come with significant drawbacks:

● They often require a full personal guarantee
● Interest rates can be high, especially for short-term use
● They blend personal and professional risk — a dangerous mix for sole traders or directors
● You lose the opportunity to build business credit

Personal loans may be fast, but rarely smart. They’re blunt tools for nuanced financial needs.

2. Traditional Term Loans

Still widely used, term loans provide a lump sum upfront with a structured repayment plan — typically over 3 to 7 years.

They work well for predictable, one-off investments: buying an ultrasound machine, funding a renovation, or acquiring a patient list. However, they aren’t designed for irregular working capital needs. Once repaid, you have to reapply — meaning more paperwork, more waiting, and more exposure to changing interest rates.

They’re better than personal loans, but not always the best fit for fast-moving practices.

3. Leasing and Hire Purchase Agreements

For high-value equipment — endoscopy units, imaging systems, dental chairs — leasing can be a smart move.

You don’t need to pay upfront, you can spread the cost over time, and some agreements include maintenance and service. It’s tax-efficient, keeps your capital free, and can protect cash flow.

Just watch out for:

● Long lock-in periods
● Early repayment penalties
● Lack of ownership at the end of term (in leasing models)

For asset-based purchases, leasing still holds strong.

4. Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) – A Newer Option

Not as common in the medical sector yet, but growing fast, merchant cash advances give you a lump sum upfront in exchange for a percentage of future receivables or card sales.

Think of it as selling a slice of your future income. Repayments flex with your turnover, which is useful in practices with seasonal or inconsistent income.

GHC’s MediFlex is one of the first MCA-type solutions designed specifically for medical professionals. It provides:

● Higher approval rates than banks
● Flexible repayment terms tied to income
● A path for clinics that may not qualify for traditional loans

Used correctly, MCAs are powerful tools — just ensure you understand the cost structure, as fees can vary widely.

5. Revolving Credit Lines – The Consultant’s Safety Net

Arguably the most elegant solution for managing short-term liquidity is a revolving line of credit.

It acts as an on-demand funding facility. You're approved for a limit based on your practice profile, and you can draw down funds when needed, repay them, and draw again — without the hassle of reapplying.

At GHC, we built MediFlow for exactly this purpose. It gives consultants:

● 90-day drawdown periods
● No early repayment penalties
● Interest only on what you use
● Pre-approved limits based on medical specialty and experience

This model suits real-life clinic operations, where capital needs fluctuate month to
month — not on a fixed schedule.

Which option is right for you?

That depends on your goals.

If you’re making a one-time investment, a term loan or lease might suit. If you’re managing uncertainty, funding growth, or simply want peace of mind, revolving credit offers unmatched flexibility.

But whatever you choose, avoid personal loans for business needs. There are smarter ways to protect your finances — and your focus.

At GHC, we work exclusively with medical professionals. That means no off-the-shelf products, no assumptions, and no unnecessary paperwork. Just practical funding, built around how you actually work.

Want to explore your options without obligation?