14/03/2024
Particularly after all of the bad press and 'vet bashing' that has been going on this week on mainstream media, I would like to remind people that we are fiercely INDEPENDENT.
This has its good (mainly) and bad points:
We have complete clinical freedom to do what is best for your pet. We will not do a procedure purely to increase a bill, but because it will benefit your pet.
We have a level of equipment rivalled only by the specialist hospitals - and increasing regularly, to enable us to optimise treatment. This does not however mean that we use it w***y nilly- we still have to justify its use to the benefit of our patient - not just because we can.
We have a team of very experienced vets. Our vets all have vast experience and a special interest field. We are not specialists - we'd have to give up being GPs. This ranges from Diploma level with Advanced Practitioners, Certificates galore and many many years of specific experience.
We very rarely need to refer out - but when we do, it will be governed by aptitude and to the best person, not to ' keep with a corporate group', and we then refer to the best person for the job.
But:
We are small. We don't have the buying power of the big corporates, or on line pharmacies . You can often buy things online cheaper than I can get them from my supplier - and that's before other charges. We are very happy to supply written prescriptions when appropriate for you to take advantage of the online places. These are obviously not appropriate with acute or painful conditions.
We don't have unlimited resources to let people run up bad debts or give huge discounts. We try and keep costs down whilst having great staff and fantastic equipment. This means that there isn't a big margin to play with. The economy of scale isn't on our side.
We cannot afford to have the level of staff, or the level of equipment and be cheap. We need to cover our costs to stay open. We will always endeavour to work within your budget - but we need to know about that before you have told us to do everything - and then that you can't pay and it's our fault.
We are not cheap, but we think we give very good value for our charges. There is a huge difference.
We take each pet and genuinely do the best for it. We are not here to fleece you or do anything unnecessary. We want to work with you to maximise your pet's health and minimise stress.
This week, we have had several episodes of complete abuse, and a load of absolute nonsense sprouted online.
Right at the moment, I can see why other vet practice owners sell out to corporates and leave the profession.
But the pros of being indie far outweigh the cons, and I just need to ignore the falsehoods and hold my head up. Please be kind. My staff and I just want to do our best for everyone. If you're obnoxious, expect to be asked to leave. Another pro.
