Independent, Locally Owned: Transparency You Can Trust
You may have seen or heard news today about proposed changes to how veterinary practices operate across the UK. Much of the discussion focuses on things that matter to every pet owner — understanding costs, knowing who owns your vet practice, and having clear ways to raise concerns.
As an independent, locally owned veterinary practice, this reflects how we already work — and how we always have.
At a Glance: What We Already Do
🐾 Independently and locally owned
🐾 Open, transparent pricing
🐾 Honest conversations about costs and treatment options
🐾 A clear, fair complaints policy handled by our own team
🐾 Caring, personalised treatment for every pet
Who Owns Our Practice — Clear, Local Ownership
Recent coverage has highlighted that many pet owners are unsure who actually owns their veterinary practice. One of the recommendations is that this should be made clearer.
For our clients, this isn’t a change.
Beechwood & Low Waters Veterinary Centres are independently and locally owned by our Clinical Director, Russell, who has been a vet here for over 20 years, and his wife, Lee, who is one of our Practice Managers.
That means:
Decisions are made locally, by people who know the practice and the community
Care is guided by long-term experience and a genuine commitment to your pets
We can focus on clinical excellence and kindness, not shareholder profit
We are accountable to the people we serve every day
Care That Fits Your Pet and Your Family
We treat your pet as an individual
We don’t just look at symptoms and test results. We also consider:
Your pet’s personality, age and comfort
Your family’s priorities and concerns
Practical things like lifestyle, finances, and what’s realistic at home
This helps us recommend care that is kind, realistic and right for your pet, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
For independent practices like ours, this kind of personalised care isn’t a new trend — it’s how we’ve always worked.
Talking About Costs — With Care and Understanding
Another recommendation focuses on clearer pricing and better communication about fees. We fully support this — and it’s something we already do.
We have always:
Explained recommended treatments and likely costs as clearly as possible
Published prices for standard treatments and services on our website, and they are also on display in our practices
Talked through options and alternatives where appropriate
Encouraged questions and open conversations
We know how stressful it can be when a pet is unwell. Our aim is to make costs one less thing for you to worry about, through honesty, empathy and understanding.
Clear Complaints Process — Handled by Our Own Team
The recommendations also highlight the importance of clear, accessible complaints processes. This is already part of how we work.
We have:
A clearly documented complaints policy
A straightforward process focused on listening and resolution
A commitment to learning and improving from feedback
If something doesn’t feel right, we want you to tell us — and we will always take your concerns seriously.
Because we are locally owned and independently run, all feedback comes directly to us here in the practice and is dealt with quickly, personally and respectfully, not a distant corporate department.
Why Independent, Local Veterinary Care Makes This Possible
Being independent allows us to put these principles into practice every day — not as a response to guidance, but as part of our values.
It allows us to:
Build lasting relationships with pets and their owners
Offer personalised care that reflects your pet’s needs
Make decisions locally and responsibly
Stay accountable to the people we serve
Many of our clients have trusted us with their pets for years, and that trust matters deeply to us.
Our Reassurance to You
As a caring, independent, locally owned veterinary practice, we want to reassure our clients that:
The standards being discussed today are already in place here
Our approach is not changing — because it’s always been right
Your pet will continue to receive thoughtful, compassionate care
If you ever have questions — about costs, ownership or care — please talk to us. We are always happy to explain, listen and support you.
🐾 Caring. Independent. Local. Always.