In response to the recent report from the Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) we would like to address some of the key points raised, highlight our ongoing commitment to quality service to our clients and identify areas where we could improve our service.
Corporate vs independent
Heathfield Vets is an independent practice; we are owned by our three directors, Philip Snyman, Ian Killian and Gerald Stam who are also our primary veterinary surgeons. We pride ourselves on the fact that many of our clients have been trusting us with the care of their pets for decades and we hope will continue to do so for many more. We understand the veterinary industry has changed in recent years and as a consequence of many factors, vet fees have increased. One thing that has not changed is our integrity and commitment to the care of our patients.
Transparent pricing
Our most commonly charged fees are listed on our website, including consultation fees (both regular and out of hours), written prescription fees, vaccinations, euthanasia and cremation. We also give guide prices for neutering, though this varies depending on the size of the patient in canines. We will look at expanding this list to include some common medications as per the CMA recommendations once these are published.
We do not currently list prices for dental procedures online, though these are displayed in our consultation rooms. For any dental procedure we recommend a patient is assessed by a veterinary surgeon first so that we can do our best to provide an accurate estimate of cost. Our dental procedures are graded and priced depending on the number and complexity of extractions required.
We also do not include prices for surgical procedures as these vary in price on a case by case basis and require a veterinary assessment first. We will always provide a written itemised estimate of cost in advance of any procedure via email, or printed and available to collect in practice. In cases of emergencies, this is not always possible where time is of the essence, but at the very least a verbal range for the estimated costs will be given and noted on the consent form.
The cost of medication and written prescriptions
Written prescriptions are available for medications on request, both in consult and via our online ordering page. We have more information about obtaining and using a written prescription here.
In order to make obtaining a written prescription easier for our clients, we email them directly to your chosen online pharmacy. You’ll know how much the vet has prescribed and of what strength because this is included in the email to let you know it is ready to go. There’s no need to pop in and collect a paper copy, or wait for the vet to prepare one for you in consult, just let us know where to send it.
We have always tried to source medications used in practice at the lowest price possible, which by law must be purchased through a licensed veterinary wholesaler. We are part of a buying group as recommended by the CMA, but we still cannot compete with online pharmacies. Some medications are being sold by online pharmacies at less than half the price we can buy them for, so it is impossible to sell them for the same price or cheaper than online – the price differential is not because we have a bigger mark up!
Treatment choices
As an independent practice, our vets have freedom of choice when it comes to treatment, with no incentive to use a particular laboratory, referral centre or treatment protocol. Our vets will always discuss with you a range of treatment options that will work for you, your pet and your budget.
The Platinum Pet Club
Our pet care plans really do save you money on your pet’s routine care. In order to calculate the monthly price for our plans we take the price of everything included for a year (annual vaccinations and our preferred flea and worming products), take off 15% and divide it by 12. It really is that simple, with the added bonus of a 10% discount on consultations, food and toys.
Cremations
As we are not tied to any corporate group, we have been able to choose a crematorium that works for us and our clients. We offer both communal and individual cremation options, more information can be found on our website. We are also fortunate to be located close to Peaceways, a pet crematorium in Ringmer, so clients can choose to arrange cremation privately if they wish.
Choosing a practice
We understand that cost is a primary factor when choosing a veterinary practice but we do not think it should be the only factor. We believe that quality of service, facilities, convenience, and ultimately, trust in your veterinary practice also need to be considered. Whilst a central database where pet owners can compare vet practices purely on the basis of cost seems like a good idea, we fear other considerations when choosing a vet will be lost.
Where do your vet fees go?
Running costs for a brick and mortar veterinary practice are now the highest they have ever been – electricity prices have jumped, equipment is more expensive to repair or replace after manufacturing costs exploded during the pandemic and as a result of Brexit and never came down, more servicing is required to meet increasing health and safety regulations, just to name a few. One of the biggest costs to a veterinary practice is staffing, not because the salaries you can earn are very high (they certainly don’t compare to equally skilled roles in other industries), but the sheer number of people it takes to make sure that we can provide appointments when they’re needed, that when clients call there is someone to answer the phone and that the care being provided is done by staff members who are suitably qualified means that this is a significant expense. Our team is the heart of our practice; without our veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, receptionists and admin team, our practice simply could not function to the same high standards that it currently does.
We appreciate our clients’ ongoing support and will provide further updates regarding the CMA investigation once the final report is made, most likely in May 2026.
Call us on 01435 864422 if you would like more information about our prices or services.
