Transparency: It’s Not a Rule, It’s Our Responsibility 🐾

You may have seen the news today regarding the CMA’s final report on the UK veterinary sector. There is currently a lot of discussion across the country about new standards for transparency and how vet practices communicate their fees.

At Beechwood and Low Waters Veterinary Centres, we believe these measures are a positive step for the industry—but for us, they aren't new. As a family-owned independent practice in Hamilton, we have always believed that you deserve to be fully informed about your pet’s care and costs, without needing a ruling to tell us so.

How we align with today's standards

We have operated with an open-door policy regarding our costs for a significant period. Here is how our current standards meet (and in some cases, already exceed) the new national guidelines:

Honest Prescription Fees

The new national benchmark for a first-item prescription has been set at £21. Our fee has actually been lower than this at £20. To fully align with the new guidance, our fee will now be £21 for the first item, and we have introduced a reduced rate of £12.50 for any additional items on the same script—ensuring even better value for pets on multiple medications.

Open Pricing

Unlike many other practices in our area, we don’t hide our costs. Our standard price list has been available on our website and on posters in our waiting room for quite some time. We believe you should have the facts before you even step through our door.

Honest Cremation Costs

During difficult times, we partner with a fellow family-owned independent provider. We charge exactly what they charge the public on their own website—with no added charges from us. We also provide a direct link to their site on our "When it’s time to say goodbye" page so you can see the costs for yourself.

Trust Through Estimates

We continue to provide clear, upfront estimates before any treatment begins so you can feel informed, prepared, and focused on your pet's recovery.

Why Independence Matters

Being independent means we answer to you and your pets, not a corporate head office or distant shareholders. We are proud to already meet these standards because we believe in them, and we remain committed to providing the honest, compassionate care our local community deserves.Thank you for your continued trust and your ongoing support of our independent practice.— The Teams at Beechwood & Low Waters Veterinary Centres.