The BSAVA welcomes the publication of the CMA’s final report into the veterinary sector. As the representative body for small animal veterinary professionals, we support measures that improve transparency for pet owners while protecting the ability of veterinary teams to exercise independent clinical judgement.
We will continue to work with our members, the wider profession and our partners to support effective implementation. Our focus will be on ensuring these changes work in practice and help deliver better outcomes for veterinary professionals, pets and owners.
BSAVA President Julian Hoad said:
“The BSAVA welcomes the final report of the CMA and supports many of the remedies and recommendations made which largely reflect the feedback we provided. These include greater transparency around practice ownership, price lists and estimates for treatments and, a more reasonable approach to prescription fees which reflects a professional responsibility that should not be taken lightly or undervalued.”
“We know that individual vets work incredibly hard, act ethically and care about animal welfare and so the BSAVA absolutely supports calls made by the CMA that pet owners don't vent their frustrations on our professionals.
“The BSAVA has long advocated on behalf of its veterinary nurse members and indeed the wider veterinary nursing profession to protect the veterinary nurse title and the expanded range of tasks they can undertake. It is therefore heartening to see the CMA also being supportive of these initiatives.
“We recognise that there is more to be done before the reforms can be implemented but our members, and indeed the wider profession, can be assured that we will continue to fully engage in the process.”
For pet owners, the reforms are intended to make the market easier to navigate and ensure that information is readily available to them so they can make informed decisions to meet their needs. For veterinary businesses, the reforms are intended to make the market more competitive and support our veterinary professionals by protecting clinical judgement from undue commercial pressure.
