This is what privatising the NHS will create for humans.
Already happened in dentistry.
Sorry, citizen.
Cancer treatment is only available on NHS Premium.
Thanks to this article I’ve now discovered that the local practice in my little town is not independent like I had assumed but one of many chains owned by IVC. I’ve recently had an interaction with them where I suspected they might be pushing for unnecessary procedures while also not being open about the costs. This certainly makes me even more suspicious of them.
I’ve found this site to be useful in my search for a new vet https://www.independentvets.co.uk/ run by the Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices.
I’ve just discovered that the vets in my town are owned by Mars Inc.
You know, of “Mars Bars” fame.
Who knew?
This is sad and scary, and unfortunately very common. Be careful when you go to these big chain referral centres and when a vet asks you how high your insurance cover is
I met another Brit travelling in Thailand who went to hospital with a stomach problem. They didn’t want to treat him until they got a confirmation email from his travel insurance. After they got the email they gave him a massive room to himself, lavished loads of food and drink on him and wouldn’t let him leave after he got better.
On pet insurance?
Easy, I don’t have insurance. Looked at how much they cost vs pay out and decided it isn’t worth it.
Okay. We had insurance for our dog and we maxed out the full 15k/year twice. Definitely was worth it
Realistically we wouldn’t spend that much. For that to be the limit would presumably mean even higher insurance premiums too.
We also maxed out the limit twice. 10k for us. Went 2k over the first time. Second time is this year so hoping he doesn’t need anything expensive before June. He’s has 2 total hip replacements at £8500 each.
Independent vets are A rarity. The reality is your vets probably is owned by a corporate and you’d just never know
Ours is an independent clinic, they’re staffed 24/7 and have always been lovely. Never ask us to come in if they don’t think it’s necessary, ask us to send pics before we come in out of hours so we can potentially avoid the extra fees etc. They’re quite a while away from where we live but we’re happy to travel a bit
Consistent pressure to make money.
Yup no shit it’s called capitalism.
