Price caps and standardisations to be introduced for vet care in UK following major investigation

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Dog at the vets

Reforms to the veterinary industry to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market are set to be introduced this year.

After an independent inquiry group recently found that the current system is leaving pet owners ‘in the dark’, with a lack of information to help make informed decisions leading to weak competition and high prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has this week concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.

The final report green-lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate, and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.

It outlines the final remedies and recommendations, which together, will transform the market.

Remedies and recommendations in the report range from price caps and standardisations, through to upfront cost transparency.

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Practices will soon be required to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options – so pet owners know up-front how much certain services are expected to cost.

They’ll also have to make it clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business, and provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill.

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Written prescription fees are set to be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and then £12.50 for any additional medicines.

Price caps and standardisations are set to be introduced for vet care in UK / Credit: Pxhere

There’s also set to be changes to the complaints process, as practices will now be required to follow a transparent, accessible, in-house complaints process, and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.

The CMA says an ‘unprecedented’ response from both the public and the sector has helped to shape the final report.

The next step is for the Government to respond to the report formally – with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, commenting: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we will respond to the report and set out next steps for our proposed reforms in due course.

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“This Government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”

Featured Image – Pxhere

Enter Shikari announce SUPER intimate show in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Enter Shikari Satans Hollow anniversary gig tickets

Much-loved British alternative band Enter Shikari have just announced a very, VERY intimate gig in Manchester city centre, and it’s happening rather soon.

It doesn’t matter how die-hard or casual a fan you are, you are simply not ready for this one…

Almost a full 20 years from what they still covet as a watershed breakout gig here in Greater Manchester, Enter Shikari are set to play none other than grassroots rock bar and nightclub, Satan’s Hollow, right in the heart of the city centre.

Pretty much the life and soul of the heavier music scene here in 0161 for decades now, it remains not only a treasured small-cap venue but arguably still among the go-to post-gig spots after any hard gig; you could say Enter Shikari are simply cutting out the middle man.

It’s fair to say that a group of their size very rarely get to play rooms as tiny as this one these days, so it’s sure to be quite a rowdy one for the electronically influenced post-hardcore outfit.

Formed way back in 1999 (if you can believe that), they’re more used to selling out arena tours all over the world, including their upcoming Co-op Live gig this winter.

It’s also worth mentioning that this will be their single biggest domestic headline show to date.

But not before they go back to where it all started for them in this city, booking a certain-to-sell-out Shikari show at Satan’s Hollow – a Manchester venue they first played in 2006.

In fact, they’ve actually shared footage from that fateful night, and yes, the quality is as bad as you’d expect, but it gives you an idea of what the atmosphere was like then, let alone now their fan base has grown so much over the years.

We actually interviewed them a while back ahead of their mini-Manc residency at New Century Hall, and it’s clear they still have a strong affinity for this part of the world – hence why they’re still coming back regularly to this day.

Speaking on this milestone moment, the band wrote in a statement: “Manchester’s a city that means a lot to us. The Satan’s Hollow show back in April ’06 was the first sense we got that ‘something’ was ‘happening’. A queue around the block and total chaos inside.

We’ve had a lot of memorable shows in Manchester since then (and in November we’ll play our biggest ever UK headline show there!), but for some reason that night at Satan’s Hollow kept coming
up in conversation, so the anniversary show was just too tempting.”

Tickets for this unmissable show will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who register HERE up until 9:30am tomorrow, Wednesday, 25 March.

The gig itself is happening on 9 April, with support from Liverpool’s very own East Exchange as support. Best of luck to all those trying to cop tickets, and hopefully we’ll see you at Satan’s.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Kate Hook (supplied via Chuff Media)

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