To think that vets are the solution to the crisis?

[MaurnaP]

So the junior doctors are unhappy with payment. The government could replace with vets?

Advantages:
Highly intelligent, over qualified, they have learned multiple species so focusing on one is a doddle for them
They often work for less £ than doctors
They have experience of the species, being that they are one
Pension is much cheaper
Human hospitals better condition than the farmyard

Plus they'll swing the baby round and rub them with straw

The doctors may learn new skills from the vets. The vets may be interested in learning a new species (even if a bit boring compared to a poodle or wild cat).

Vets don't want to be doctors, otherwise they would have gone into human medicine.

There are barely enough vets to staff the veterinary industry - I doubt there'd be enough spare to cover doctors as well! 😅

I believe vets may legally treat a human but a physician or surgeon may not treat an animal. Veterinary education is much broader than human medicine education.

Also, my vet seems to care and always treats me with far more respect than any of the human doctors treating the children ever did. They are unfailingly kind and polite and explain things. Usually in a ten minute slot that runs to time.

I.imagine it's because I pay my vet directly.

You cannot possibly be serious. Surely?

They might not mind doing it on the side if the price is right? At least until the govt has sorted the strike out?

Have you seen how much vets charge?

Get those extra-long rubber gloves!

Speak for yourself.

I am just as interesting as a poodle or a wild cat

Although not quite as interesting as an armadillo.

My friend's DD is a vet. She spends a lot of time each day castrating animals. That would certainly solve a few regular MN problems right there!

But who would treat all the poorly animals?

There you go - waiting lists halved because the vets are so efficient.

🤣🤣🤣 thank you for giving me a good laugh!

I probably would have been put down 3 or 4 times by now.

My old GP had failed his Veterinary Finals! He did retrain abroad. I always thought it was odd that he would write a prescriptipn and then suggest that I check with DH what he would use on an animal!

Bloodless castrating as an alternative to expensive vasectomies would save a fortune .

Not sure I fancy one as a Midwife alternative though. 💪

OP's post brought to mind that scene from Baby Boom with Diane Keaton.

Shocking they're no highly paid cos vet bills are utter madness!!

Dr's get upset if you compare them to vets, but honestly, for me paramedics win hands down.

In my area, if you can't see a GP but need an appointment, you see a paramedic. And they provide outstanding care, knowledge and help. So much better than a GP or nurse ime. Not knocking either of these or vets BTW but there is something about their demeanor that is just spot on. Maybe it's because they deal with drunks, people high on drugs, people injured in accidents etc?

Diane Keaton - hilarious! Thank you!!!

The bills you pay at the vets have to cover the cost of everything... all the staff, building maintenance etc. The £50 consultation fee is not going in the vet's pocket.
Vet bills seem expensive because we have the NHS, and pay nothing at the point of use.

Other professions do it 🤷‍♀️

Shortage of social workers - teachers take on the load.
Firefighters strike - army take over.

I had a few other examples when I started typing my reply, but the dog has distracted me and now I've completely forgotten what they were.

Are you fur real?

Veterinary services are remarkably cheap as well. I enjoy the moment when the bill prints off.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

This 100%. Just imagine the same itemised bill from the NHS that you get from your vet.