Crackdown on Veterinary Fees in the UK. BBC News 25/3/26

[Deeds]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3dy9deggvo

 

The recommendations are listed at the end of this article.

[Little Gifts]

I remember when Albert was  very sick earlier this year. After 4 days at the emergency vet over a weekend and public holiday one thing they didn't dispense to me for him was panadol. The vet said if he provided it it would be an extra $50, while I can buy a packet of it at a supermarket for a couple of dollars. But also from that event I have 2 lots of meds worth several hundred dollars that were either not started because he got sicker and ended up  as an inpatient or because additional professional advice said to stop  providing it. I secretly wish there was a return service on those items. Same when I lost Jonah and had just restocked his post MCT and chemo maintenance meds. I gave those to friends and rescue. Now I am broker I'd prefer a refund but am too embarrassed to ask. 

[Deeds]

My Vet used to buy back unwanted/leftover drugs if they weren't out of date.  Just ask them.  There could be a shortage of those drugs and they would be useful.  

[Little Gifts]

2 hours ago, Deeds said:

My Vet used to buy back unwanted/leftover drugs if they weren't out of date.  Just ask them.  There could be a shortage of those drugs and they would be useful.  

I might have to put my big girl pants on again and try. One of them I have 5 weeks  supply of totally unused and the other is 7 days unused.

[Mairead]

Wear some of your oldest, worn clothes when you go to ask. 

I was comparing costs of a plumber with a neighbour and realised I had been wearing very scruffy gardening clothes when the plumber arrived to find an underground leak. 

Edited March 25 by Mairead

[tdierikx]

When they mention capping prescription fees, does that mean the actual cost of medications, or the fee to prescribe them?

 

It all sounds so simple to call for standardised fees for services, but are they taking into account the costs associated with providing those services? Each practice may have different running costs that contribute to their fee schedules. Things as variable as rent for a premises, maintenance costs for equipment in said premises, costs to buy consumables (think things like bandages and syringes, etc), staffing costs, insurance costs, and myriad other "unseen" costs... all factor into the setting of fees for services provided. Even costs to provide either the basic or gold standard level of service will have an impact here... bloodwork before surgery, or fluids during surgery, will cost extra, and can generally be omitted to keep costs down, but the diagnostics gained from the bloodwork to inform about anaesthesia requirements, or recovery time after anaesthesia without fluids being longer/harder for the pet involved (especially for cats) could be affected. Vets don't recommend those things just to make extra money, there can be real implications if they aren't done.

 

I see issues with people comparing prices for services could lead to lower welfare standards for the animals involved, as cheaper doesn't necessarily mean better when it comes to the services that vets provide. I will say that some corporate entities need curtailing of profit margins gained from over-servicing, but what is that going to do to the small independently owned practices that cannot actually compete on the bread-and-butter services provided?

 

T.

[Little Gifts]

I agree T.  My vets run a tight practise and  want to maintain a personal approach to their level of care. They did move out of their old long term location almost 2 years ago and expand slightly (new outfit of the new place, etc) but prices and their practise style did not explode to reflect that. I remember the vet nurse showing me through the place and showing me proudly the things they DIY'd like big pet murals on the wall. They never upsell, always ask for permission about tests and explain why they could be beneficial and always talk cost estimates when talking about treatment options. I'm paying for their knowledge and ability to work effectively with me and my dog as much as I am paying for tests, procedures and meds. They have offered me great deals in the past when we were trying to catch a street cat to desex her (they are great supporters of rescue). They've taken in some animals who were going to be euthanised and then done a ring around to find them a rescue/adoption spot. They squeeze me in if there is an emergency. And I've been able to simply ring and get vet advice over the phone with no charge on a couple of occasions (was happy to pay for a phone consult but they didn't want to do that). I think the difference is privately owned clinics have long term clients who take their advice and do all the follow through, so a mutual relationship develops and there are benefits to  both sides to that. Then you have the people who call  looking for the cheapest desex or vaccinations - they do the work and never see the animal again, so no relationship develops.  Maybe they are the clients who can get a book price?