The veterinary voice for animal welfare: reflecting on Ȥҹapp’s updated Animal Welfare Strategy
11 Jul 2025
04 Jun 2026 | Rob Williams
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The CMA investigation into veterinary services for household pets has been a source of concern and frustration for the profession over the past two and a half years and has unfortunately seen negative and often inaccurate portrayals of the profession in the media. However, it is now coming to a close, with the CMA publishing its final decision in March and beginning to roll out its legally binding Substantive Remedies Order from September.
One of the key remedies relatesto how practicesmanage client complaints.Reading the pet owner feedback from theinitialCMA informal review,it’sclear there is some deficit in resolution of client complaints,withclientssaying theyfeel they have limited or no recourse for redress when something goes wrong. In recognition of this and best practice in many other professional service industries,theCMAhasdecidedto codify how client complaints are managed. There are two components of this, astandardisedin-house complaints procedure, and an obligation on practices toparticipatein mediation.
Although many of you say your practice already has a complaints system which fits the CMA’s proposed requirements, we know that ensuring your practice is compliant is still a bit of a daunting prospect. With that in mind,I’mpleased to be chairing a sessionat ȤҹappLive:on Thursday 11 June in the Ȥҹapp Business, Careers & Debates theatre at2pm. I’llbe joined by Gavin Durston, Director of Thrums Vetswho will share how his practice manages the range ofcomplaintsseen at a large mixed practice; andJennie Jones from the Veterinary Client Mediation Service (VCMS), whowilldiscuss what mediation is, how VCMS works and what results VCMSachievein terms of resolving disputes between practicesand their clients.
Having managed a large hospital practice forseveralyears I have direct personal experience of managingclient complaints and,while I appreciatemany vetsfindthem challenging to deal with, I found complaintscan be valuable. However, this wasn't always the case, particularly before I started managing complaints myself.
Myaltered attitude towards complaints in part cameaboutfroman insightone of my veterinary mentors shared withme; “Rob, complaintsaren’ta nightmare as you put it, they are a gift. Complaintsgive us a perspective on what we do as a practice that we otherwise would not appreciate. Even in the most spurious complaint there is often an insight we can use to improve what we do.”
This was great adviceto positively reframecomplaints,and I usedto dosomething that soundsa little oddon the back of this advice:wheneverI had a written complaint,I wouldgo into a consulting room,stand on the client side of the room and read the complaint. Then I would ask myself a simple question: “In similar circumstances would Icomplain?”.I think thisis important because it gives you the opportunity totry and take yourself out ofa ‘vet’ mindset and take an impartial view of thecomplaint. This then enabled me to take a more constructive approach toresolvingit.
As my mentor said“complaints are a gift”;using this perspective is something that might help you if youare responsible formanaging complaints at your practice.
The full Ȥҹapp Live programme is available at bvalive.vetshow.com. There is still time forȤҹapp members toclaim a fully funded ticket – find out more.
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Ȥҹapp Awards Dinner There is still time to get a ticket to the Ȥҹapp Awards Dinner, which takes place on Thursday 11 June 2026 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole and includes a drinks reception, sponsored by a delicious three-course dinner; and DJ and dancing until midnight. For Ȥҹappmembers, the tickets are £79 +VAT. Visit |
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