05/05/2024
Dear clients, and all members of the Claremont Vet Community,
We wanted to take an opportunity to give you a practice update. We’ve all experienced a lot of changes in recent months. Some have been joyful, such as Kate and Stella both becoming proud mums to gorgeous baby boys. While some have been extremely difficult personal situations.
All these changes have been challenging in their very different ways. And all have contributed to some intense reflection in recent months about life, death, and the choices we make with the time we’re given.
We're well aware that we are not alone in this struggle. Changes happen. And as individuals, families, and businesses we need to find ways to cope. Em and I started this practice 8 years ago, because after a combined 35 years in the industry we wanted to deliver what we believed was a great style of veterinary service in the way we wanted to. We recognise there are as many ways that can be done as there are vets, owners, and pets. In time, we welcomed new staff, new clients and the needs of our little group grew with those of the community. Unavoidably, the demands on us, in terms of administration, stress and commitment grew as well. This isn't a complaint. It's always been an honour for all of us to work for the needs of our patients.
But we reached a stage where the demands threatened to collapse the whole structure. There have been times when we’ve wondered if we could go on at all. It's a sad truth that the veterinary industry, more than most, is littered with the results of those who just decided they couldn't go on any more. This isn't just a problem facing the Claremont Vet Surgery. Our colleagues here in Hobart who do an excellent job, and across Tasmania and Australia, and even internationally, are feeling the same pressures. Why the demand for vet services has exceeded the available workforce for some time now is a complex problem, beyond the scope of this post.
But we don’t want to walk away. We still love our jobs, patients, staff, clients, and community. However, we have been forced to recognise we can’t sustain our current situation indefinitely. We need to turn down the heat, or we face burning out.
So we have begun a process of scaling back the volume of work we are undertaking.
In the first instance that will mean having to implement a blanket 'No new clients' rule. We need to be realistic about the amount of work we can do, and take the best care we can of the lovely clients we already have.
Unfortunately, even with that in place, we are unlikely to be able to see everyone that wants to be seen within the timeframe they need.
We really do understand the frustration people feel when told that we can simply not fit in another consult. We always -want- to help. But there comes a point where we just have to place a limit on many patients we can see in a day without compromising the high level of care we want to provide.
We’re committed to making speedy transfers of patient histories to whichever practice you might wish to nominate if ever you find yourself unable to get a timely appointment.
We always want what’s best for you and your pet.
We hope by making some changes now, we’ll be able to stick around to provide that for many years yet.
Take care of yourselves, take care of others, and all the best. ❤️ 🐾
