Responding to the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announcement that it is to conduct a review into consumer experiences and business practices in the provision of veterinary services for household pets in the UK, the Veterinary Management Group (VMG) is urging practice managers, administrators, veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and veterinary businesses as well as veterinary clients to engage with the CMA and participate in the review.
VMG President, Miles Russell said: “The CMA’s announcement of its review into the veterinary services market for household pets is hardly a surprise.
“The UK veterinary sector landscape is undergoing significant change with the corporatisation of the household pet marketplace.
“The recent spike in pet ownership and the current economic climate have combined to focus pet owners’ minds on how they access veterinary care, the clarity and transparency of the information provided about that care and who is providing it, and the cost of that care.
“There can be no doubt that just as pet owners are facing financial strain, so veterinary practices are facing alarming increases in operating costs, shortages of qualified staff and ever-rising costs of medicines.
“The CMA review needs to gather as much quality information as possible to establish an accurate picture of the market and I encourage pet owners, practice managers, veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, and veterinary businesses to engage with the CMA, and participate.
“This can be done by completing the CMA online Review Questionnaire on the GOV.UK CMA website.
“The survey is active for six weeks so there is no time to lose.
“An informed, detailed and accurate CMA Review is in the best interests of our industry as well as the pet owners and pets we serve.”
The VMG is increasingly concerned at the mounting pressures and challenges faced by veterinary practices as they maintain high professional standards across rising caseloads.
Animal welfare and client service are paramount with veterinary practices which recognise the current financial pressures faced by families and will always work to provide the very best affordable care.
The VMG believes an independent, evidence-based, comprehensive big-picture review of the sector will be of significant benefit to veterinary practices, those who work in them and the patients and clients they serve.