You may have seen the media coverage following the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) provisional report published last week regarding the veterinary industry. We wanted to share how this relates to Mulberry House Vets and reassure you about our commitment to transparency and quality care for your pets.
What the CMA Found;
The CMA’s report focused on several key areas:
Price transparency and the need for clearer cost information
Prescription charges and access to alternative purchasing options
Ownership disclosure (independent vs corporate practices)
The need to update outdated veterinary regulations
What This Means for You at Mulberry House Vets
The good news is that we’re already doing much of what the CMA is now recommending:
Transparent Pricing – You can find our prices on our website at https://mulberryhousevets.co.uk/our-prices/ so you can make informed decisions about the cost of your pet’s care.
Written Estimates – We have always provided detailed estimates before procedures and treatments, keeping you informed of any changes along the way. This is part of our commitment to open communication.
Proudly Independent – We are 100% independent, set up in 2019 by Sharon, Kate, Louise and Alex. We’re not part of a corporate chain, which means you and your pets will always be at the heart of every decision we make.
Understanding Prescription Charges;
The CMA has proposed a cap on written prescription charges. We want to be clear about what these charges represent: the professional expertise, clinical judgement and time involved in making safe prescribing decisions for your pet. These charges also help cover the overheads of running a well-staffed practice with modern equipment and skilled professionals – all of which ensures your pets receive the best possible care when they need it.
As a smaller independent practice, we don’t benefit from the bulk-buying power of large corporate groups. For traceability and to ensure temperature-controlled supply chain, we must purchase medications from specified veterinary wholesalers. These are often at significantly higher prices than online retailers can offer with their low overheads. We’ve always been happy to provide written prescriptions when requested, and we’ll continue to discuss all options with you to find what works best for your pet and your circumstances.
Our Commitment to You;
We reinvest heavily in our practice, our team, and our equipment because we are committed to providing exceptional care for our patients. We understand that every pet and owner is different, and we take an individual approach rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
The CMA’s recommendations aim to increase trust and transparency in the veterinary profession – values we have held from day one. While we support many of the proposed changes, we are mindful that increased administration and compliance requirements could impact small independent practices like ours. We are committed to navigating these changes while maintaining the personal, high-quality service you’ve come to expect.
Thank you;
We want to thank you for your continued support, loyalty and especially your kindness towards our team. If you love our practice as much as we do, please recommend us to friends and family looking for an independent veterinary practice that puts pets first.
If you have any questions about the CMA report or our pricing, please don’t hesitate to talk to us. We’re all human, trying to do our best for our clients, our patients and our team!
With very best wishes for you and your pets,
Alex, Louise, Kate and Sharon
