PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:43:00 GMT

[quote user="ginny"]

. Charity practice doesnt always have to think of this because of the donations and discounts they receive from elsewhere. Lots of private vets put their profit back into their business, improving facilities and welfare for patients and staff. They also support local charities by offering some sort of discount or help.

As we have the NHS in UK and a society where someone has to take responsibility for everything clients often cant see why they should take responsibility

[/quote]

Agree 100% I have worked in both and especially one who put 90% of profit back into the practice............. just wish moany clients could see that

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

Ejde — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:30:51 GMT

I went from a charity to the private sector. I lasted just over a year and am now back working for a different charity. A lot of the nurses I work with have also tried both and are never planning to go back to private. I think that differences in attitudes and working practises just mean that some people are more suited to one rather than the other. I did manage to do my training in a charity job so if you look around, there are TPs in the charity sector.

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

albatross — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:27:24 GMT

I see both sides as I have two part time jobs (and I'm still waiting after 3 years for a SVN position!), one is a smal charity which relies on donations or loans or fund-raising to fund the sanctuary and vet clinics (for example we took out an £8k loan to equip a new theatre and I've raised nearly £900 towards it so far, but if I want new equipment we have to adapt other equipment, or wait, unless it's vital). We charge only £5 consult (but have recently upped it to £10 for people bringing puppies and kittens as they seem to bring pedigree staffies but profess to be on low income-thye all have to bring proof with them), and we charge smal markups on drugs and keep prices as low as possible for operations. We're seeing a 100% increase in the number of clients (we are open twice a week and now have added at least one operating day a week, plus about to launch a Saturday once a month clinic), and a huge increase in the number of referrals from other vets for operations and skin problems etc. It does annoy me a lot that people smoke like chimneys, stink of alcohol, drive off in posh cars, wear branded trainers but then baulk at paying for antibiotics on top of a consult fee! I do really enjoy helping those really needy people whose circumstances changed due to bad luck, or pensioners who desperately want to keep their companion rather than give it up for rehoming.

My other job as a night auxilliary at a large TP, means I see all sorts of patients from several thousand pound ops (some pai for by insurance, some where the client will probably get into debt but wants to pay for their animal regardless, and quite a few where the client can't pay and the animal is signed over to the practice and then treated at a loss to the practice, then rehomed).

There's space for all at the moment in the community, but some vets must surely go under soon asmany more animals are being dumped or being seen by charity places as owners can't/won't afford the bills, and without the income the practice cannot update equipment, take on trainees (vicious circle which means there will be less qualified staff for all those hundreds of QVN jobs being advertised all the time), or even pay existing staff. I haven't yet heard of a practice closing or amalgamating with others, but most locally now don't provide 24hour care but farm it out to a consortium or group together to share the night/weekend cover.

I don't mind where I train as long as I get a place one day, but my charlty job certainly provides heartache when trying to juggle costs against the animals' needs.

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

Laura x — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:19:58 GMT

I've noticed all our clients who qualify for PDSA have flash brand new cars too haha. I think alot of owners exaggerate how much they have been quoted elsewhere to try and get a cheaper deal, we see it all the time!

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

Saskia Quinn — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:18:07 GMT

After leaving permanent private practice to become a locum nurse, I am now in a charity practice. I find it strange having to get used to the non-charging as such.

However, I my short time there, I have seen many procedures carried out which quite simply could not have been done from the owners point of view as they could not afford it. In my opinion, especially as lots of us are suffering financially due to the credit crunch - charity practice has a great place in society

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

ruthmt — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:43:05 GMT

Thanks Ginny, I ll look into it and bare private practice in mind

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

ginny — Sun, 03 May 2009 20:52:48 GMT

I trained in a charity practice but it was whie ago. I found the transition of charity to private difficult at first but then began to understand the business side of things a lot better. I used to think private vets were just in it for the money and didnt care but found it to be a completely untrue and my ideals were totally unrealistic. I have yet to come across a vet or nurse in private practice who isnt as caring and interested in animal welfare as a charity one. Our bossess have a lot to shell out for and all this will be considered when working out the fees. Charity practice doesnt always have to think of this because of the donations and discounts they receive from elsewhere. Lots of private vets put their profit back into their business, improving facilities and welfare for patients and staff. They also support local charities by offering some sort of discount or help.

As we have the NHS in UK and a society where someone has to take responsibility for everything clients often cant see why they should take responsibility/pay for their pets veterinary care. In my experience they are often quite unrealistic about what things actually cost. All vets treat strays to some extent, especially if the animal is likely to be rehomeable.

The charity hospital i trained at (Blue Cross in Victoria SW1) was excellent. I learned lot and have fond memories of my time there. I have no idea if they are still training but i would highly recommend them for practical experience and case load if they are. But you would also learn a lot in a private practice, especially if its a good TP.

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

Nick Shackleton — Sun, 03 May 2009 20:06:02 GMT

Some charities do offer training its worth looking on the RCVS website to see if any in your area are training practices

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

ruthmt — Sun, 03 May 2009 20:00:04 GMT

Has anyone out there made the transition from charity to private? I think my problem is that I like working with the animals that have no owner to pay for a specialist, are stray, are abandoned, are mistreated. Thats my whole motivation. I want to keep this but dont know how to stay in this environment and get qualified.

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

Steph Worsley — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:45:47 GMT

Being a charity you will probably get fantastic deals from drug companies and wholesalers. I am presuming that you will also recieve external funding which NO private practice has.

Having been a head nurse in private practice (and having volunteered at the PDSA many years ago when they didn't even charge all they asked for was a donation and you got the brand new 4x4's in the car park for the clients!!!!) I know how much things come into the practices for, you have to remember that private practices buy all their equipment, so have those costs, plus rent/mortgage, utilities, staff, inland revenue, accountants, cpd, locum costs.

Yes some practices charge the earth but 90% of them charge realistically, they dont put a huge markup on drugs/food and these often go out at the RRP if not below it at times.

Also if the practice has a certificate holder in, for example, small animal surgery, they actually have the right to charge a slightly higher price then normally as the clients are technically getting a better standard of surgeon.

Think about all the free things the clients get....regular access to the nurses who offer help and advice FOC, they perfom checks on the patients generally FOC etc yet the practice still has to pay the nursing staff.

I work in referral practice now and yes we charge a fair amount, however the clinets get an initial 1 hour consult with one of the vets, revisits are 1/2 hour appointements, there are specialist nurses on hand to discuss cases with the clients on a more client friendly basis, there is a lot of work goes into each and everyone of those cases. We also offer FREE advice to vets ringing in for it, and follow up phone calls with the clients should they need extra help and support.

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

ruthmt — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:25:37 GMT

Incidentally my practice isnt free-we work out what it costs to operate and charge exactly that. I understand that isnt possible everywhere but even if we charged double it would still be loads cheaper than what the other local vets are charging.

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

ruthmt — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:21:30 GMT

Thought that would hit a few nerves. I understand all of the replies and of course I know that you are just as concerned about an animals welfare but I am from an environment where we have the ability to treat an animal that needs it regardless of cost. There are a couple of private chains that I know of who charge astronomical amounts for drugs that cost literally pence. With the credit crunch we are getting more and more referrals and if some private practices dont re-evaluate then they are sure to go out of business.

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

Maisy — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:56:51 GMT

And also I think you'll find that staff regardless of whether they work for private or charity practices are just a little concerned about animal welfare!

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

Maisy — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:55:19 GMT

Depending on the charity, donations mean that often treatments can be heavily subsidised. Private practices are businesses so the effect of paying for the building, equipment, staff and training etc is noted more (usually because the boss harps on about it!)

I wouldn't say charging appropriately means that the owner is greedy or cares any less, but common sense means they have to be more realistic where costs are concerned. It seems to be a common thought of clients that vets, as they must love animals, should do any treatment possible to help an animal regardless of cost if the owner can't afford it. In an ideal world yes, however there are lots more businessy things to consider first. I think if you are wanting to stay in charity practices you may have much more difficulty finding an SVN place-previously the PDSA were the largest charity training practice but they have stopped taking on SVNs.

Re: PRIVATE PRACTICE V CHARITY

Cat Woman — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:42:31 GMT

Unfortunately, private practices are not charities. It will be difficult for you I think to make the transition from charity to private. In my experience, we have always charged fees that are reasonable, but we are not supplemented by charitable donations & the vets, nurses, receptionists & other staff deserve a good quailty of life regarding pay etc. This does not make us any less passionate about animal welfare!