Vets fees

[Selina27]

Just a heads up for anyone who is interested (and I think it's a subject close to all our hearts),
File on 4 on Radio 4 (UK) are going to be looking at and discussing veterinary fees tonight at 8pm.

 

[Stacia]

Just a heads up for anyone who is interested (and I think it's a subject close to all our hearts),
File on 4 on Radio 4 (UK) are going to be looking at and discussing veterinary fees tonight at 8pm.

Oh only just read your post and so missed it. The new independent vet who has just started here already has 450 new clients who have left the corporate vets. I was sad to leave my practice as they are all lovely but I am not prepared to pay over the odds. I believe that the new vet is wonderful, my vet I worked for, said he has every confidence in her.

 

[Cath]

Oh I missed it, hope someone here can let me know how it went. Thanks

found this @Jelinga

File on 4 Investigates - What’s Happening to Your Vet Bills? - BBC Sounds

Investigation into veterinary surgery prices.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Selina27]

I guess it didn't say anything we don't already know - that the six corporate concerns that own such a high percentage of veterinary practices are blatantly out to make money out of pet ownership. It's just immoral in my view.
But nevertheless it was good to hear it said out loud. It's so hard for the individual vets working for them when they find themselves with their professional hands tied and unable to their clinical judgement as they see fit.
Hopefully it will go some way to raising public awareness of this issue, but it is a pity I think that the programme didn't touch on the rise in "phoenix " and employee owned practices being set up - such as the one near you now @Jelinga .

 

[Selina27]

Although they did talk to an individual practice about how they help customers deal with large unexpected bills by using credit checks and instalment plans.

 

[Atemas]

Although they did talk to an individual practice about how they help customers deal with large unexpected bills by using credit checks and instalment plans.

That’s good to know that is happening - I think it would really help people suddenly faced with a massive bill. The worry of a sick pet is bad enough without the money worries as well

 

[Stacia]

Oh I missed it, hope someone here can let me know how it went. Thanks

found this @Jelinga

File on 4 Investigates - What’s Happening to Your Vet Bills? - BBC Sounds

Investigation into veterinary surgery prices.

www.bbc.co.uk

Thanks Helen, will listen later. I think there is a possible turn in the tide as my next small town over the hill, now has a new independent vet as we do here.

 

[Selina27]

Thanks Helen, will listen later. I think there is a possible turn in the tide as my next small town over the hill, now has a new independent vet as we do here.

Yes I agree Sonia - the signs are good!

But I think as pet owners we all (and I mean the pet owning public) have to accept that veterinary costs are still a big factor for us all. The big changes and advances in care all have to be paid for - scans and so on - but there is a world of difference between an ethically run independent practice which has to be run as a proftable business, otherwise they won't be there, and a huge corporate concern that is purely concerned with making large amounts of money.

 

[Woodwoman]

Yes I agree Sonia - the signs are good!

But I think as pet owners we all (and I mean the pet owning public) have to accept that veterinary costs are still a big factor for us all. The big changes and advances in care all have to be paid for - scans and so on - but there is a world of difference between an ethically run independent practice which has to be run as a proftable business, otherwise they won't be there, and a huge corporate concern that is purely concerned with making large amounts of money.

Well said. These companies are only interested in making a profit for their shareholders and worse still they aren't based in the Uk. Hopefully there is a turn in the tide. which will continue and gain momentum.

 

[M.F.]

Also, when these corporates take over, they have all these new roles, like Marketing and Admin and HR, that require salaries, and they have to find the money to pay for them. In the small practices, there’s the vet, an assistant, and the receptionist. Word of mouth sells the practice. It infuriates me when these corporates have a bloated staff.

When our vet sold her practice to a corporate, suddenly she was doing all these procedures on Snowie. We trusted her until it became so obvious, and then we moved to a vet-owned practice that is further away. Nevertheless Snowie’s vet costs are expensive. I haven’t had my hair cut in a few years and have hardly bought new clothes, and we haven’t had a proper holiday in two years. But we never spare the vet costs. I must confess, I won’t get another dog. Of course I don’t begrudge Snowie these costs, but I look forward to a bit more financial freedom in a few years time.