Welcome To Acorn House Veterinary Hospital

CMA REVIEW OF THE UK VETERINARY MARKET

• Acorn House is owned by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). The RVC is a university educating undergraduate and postgraduate vets and vet nurses.

• We are an independent (rather than a corporate) provider of clinical care.

• Providing the best possible care for animals and service to their owners is at the heart of everything Acorn House and the RVC does and so we welcome the CMA review and subsequent Market Investigation.

• We understand that veterinary care can be expensive, and we are always mindful that, with no National Health Service equivalent for animals, the entire cost must be borne by owners. We therefore strive for transparency with our clients and appropriately price our services. Prices for routine consultations and standard services are available on our website and clients receive a link to this 24 hours before a booked consultation.

• Prior to receiving care, owners of all pets being hospitalised receive estimates of the anticipated costs. It is not always possible to provide precise estimates when an animal is first presented, as further investigation and diagnostics can alter treatment plans. However, we ensure that our clients are kept up to date of any changes in the cost of their animal’s care as investigations proceed; and involve them in each stage of decision-making so that our veterinary surgeons and owners can agree the best courses of action.

• We uphold our obligations to providing published information regarding procedural costs and charges relating to prescriptions and the dispensing of medication.