Looking for advice

[Ornela]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to ask for your honest opinions and any advice you might have.

My husband and I recently opened an LTD company in April this year, after working as self-employed for several years. The business is in the joinery and glazing industry, so it’s still quite new and just getting off the ground.

A few months ago, I found out that I have a medical condition that will require two surgeries (one by June 2026 and another by September 2026). Unfortunately, they’re quite expensive, and at the moment, we don’t have much in savings.

I learned that my previous self-employed earnings don’t count anymore when applying for financial support, since my status changed. I’ve been considering applying for a business loan as a possible way to cover the surgery costs, but I’m not sure if that’s realistic for a newly registered company.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, or do you have any suggestions for what we could do?
Would a business loan even be an option for something like this. If so, how much could we realistically borrow with such a new company?

Any thoughts, advice, or alternative ideas would mean a lot.

Thank you so much for reading,
Ornela

Are they surgeries covered by Benenden? Check - could save you a fortune and be within your time frame if you join now.

Thanks for your reply.
I don't think they are covered.

I have decided to have my surgeries in Greece as not many surgeons in UK are specialised on the condition.

I've just looked up Benenden. They have more loop holes than a crocheted blanket.

You’ll have to slum it then, and have your surgeries on the NHS

Benenden has gaps certainly but my sister has had the equivalent of about £35000 worth of surgery with no quibbles. I think - to be fair - they are very clear with what they cover.

Just went through their website.
Apparently they cover only UK hospitals.

I will email them just in case. Nothing to lose anyway.
I really appreciate your help, many thanks :)

I am pretty sure they are uk only but good luck with getting what you need.

Unfortunately, they don't cover it.
Many UK women, with the same condition, find themselves obligated to go abroad.

They can’t be essential then.

They are. But since they are expensive procedures and require a lot of aftercare, it's not in their interest. For them, it's more convenient if people pay from their own pocket.

Benenden will only fund stand alone surgeries that only require 24 h in hospital and require no ongoing care.

Do you think the NHS funds all essential treatment? I would love to think that this is true but unfortunately it’s not.

If it’s essential, then they do. You may have to wait, sadly. That is also true.

But if it’s deemed non-essential - e.g. cosmetic - then, yes, the NHS are much less likely to pay.

But as the OP hasn’t revealed what kind of surgeries they require, we can only speculate as to whether or not it’s essential.

There are definitely essential treatments which the NHS will not fund for certain conditions. Particularly for Long term conditions such as long covid and Lymes disease.

OK @Ornela - what kind of surgeries will you require and, if they are essential, how come you won’t have them until next June/September?

No, you can't use a business loan to pay for surgery. You wouldn't get a loan for that and if you lied and said it's for something else, that's fraud. But being such a new company you probably wouldn't even get a loan anyway no matter what you say it's for.

You'll have to work hard and save up. You might get able to get a personal loan for around £10k I suppose.

Please read some experiences here.
One of the ladies is even a GP practitioner.

https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2021-08-04/life-with-lipoedema-calls-for-more-help-on-the-nhs-for-a-painful-condition

The surgeon I have chosen is fully booked until them. Besides that, I need to do some preparations on my body before doing the surgery.

Please have a read on this article:
https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2021-08-04/life-with-lipoedema-calls-for-more-help-on-the-nhs-for-a-painful-condition

Thing is that I am afraid I can't get a personal loan either. Since my status changed from self-employed to being a company director, I suppose all my previous tax return aren't taken in count?

It's really sad that you can't get it on the NHS. It's a very painful and debilitating illness.

It sounds like you'll have to save up.

I appreciate your words 😊

Banks don't look at your tax returns to give you a loan.

You can apply for a decision in principle and see how you get on. Also, it looks like you don't need it until next year and you might be able to show regular income by then.

You can also be set up as an employee of the new company which will show a salary.

How much us it? My friend had it done and it was around fifty k. So, it's more like remortgage the house money than a loan!

So you think most banks would loan even if lately I haven't been having a steady income?

It's around 20k.

Well, I didn't say anything like that, did I!?

I said ask them. And next year you might be able to show a steady income if you make yourself an employee.