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

Information on the general breakdown and reasons is widely available on the Internet. In summary, its private healthcare and that is expensive especially when owners are demanding human medicine level diagnostics and care.
If you want a specific breakdown on a bill, ask your vet to explain it item by item.

www.greenbayvets.co.uk/2024/01/15/why-are-vet-bills-so-expensive/

I don’t understand the shock point. I would have hoped that economies of scale would make NHS costs much cheaper, rather than “not much more”. Unless I’ve misunderstood your post
Maybe because you would expect care for complex humans to be more expensive than for an animal.

Most vets don't work anywhere the hours doctors do. Most also don't work evenings and weekends. The consequences of a wrong diagnosis on a rabbit is very different to missing a young mums cancer. I adore animals but treating them is nowhere comparable to humans.

I think vets should be able to become doctors through a defined training path that takes a few years rather than starting back at the beginning. Lots of diseases and surgical skills etc are indeed transferable.

Because all the clinics have been sold to corporate groups who jack up prices and take all the profits. Trust me, vet salaries have stagnated and in some cases gone down recently. I saw an ad the other day for an overnight vet in Scotland - 7 days on / 7 days off sole charge (12 hours shifts) seeing overnight emergencies - and the starting salary was 36,000 pounds.

The corporates have destroyed the profession.

I’m not so sure about the public weighing in the waiting room, but I’m on board with biscuits after treatment.

Yes. A species they have not TRAINED for.

Are you missing the fact that doctors do 5 years of learnjng just to get to the first training year?

Congratulations op-you win the prize for the most stupid suggestion this week!

A pet NHS the other week was rather special.

I think this is the most stupid thing I've ever read on MN!

Brilliant thread OP

Love the way people are taking this seriously.

MN - the home of the unamused and ill humoured.

Are vets of same age/stage of career really paid less than GPs or junior doctors? it really doesn't appear that way, but I dont know. Haven't they also got teh chance of owning a practice and raking it in? I only know 2 vets and 2 dentists, but both of them specifically chose to be vets or dentists over doctors, whcih they cpuld also have done. The grade requirements etc are the same aren't they? I really dont see why vets would want or need to cover for doctors.

I think bringing in army medics is more likely.

Are vets of same age/stage of career really paid less than GPs or junior doctors? it really doesn't appear that way, but I dont know. Haven't they also got teh chance of owning a practice and raking it in? I only know 2 vets and 2 dentists, but both of them specifically chose to be vets or dentists over doctors, whcih they cpuld also have done. The grade requirements etc are the same aren't they? I really dont see why vets would want or need to cover for doctors.

I think bringing in army medics is more likely.

sorry for double post

Now imagining a man in grubby tweeds and wellies coming at me with a drench. Though if it was Sam West as that nice Mr Farnon, I might not object.

That's an advantage. The downside is they may just say: "Ok, let's just have a look at the heifer." Purely out of habit (hopefully!)

I'd rather see my vet than my GP to be honest.

The issue here isn’t the consequences of a wrong diagnosis, but the training and cost of consultations and treatment and the expertise required. And no, I don’t expect care for humans, complex or otherwise, (assuming you’re referring to illnesses?’) to be more expensive for humans: that’s why I referred to economies of scale because it’s just one species. I specifically said that I don’t.

I am aware of the specialisations and complex treatments available for rabbits and other small furries as well as for cats, dogs, horses and birds. I think perhaps you are not. What used to be provided for babies is now available for many animals. Medical doctors, veterinary surgeons, microbiologists and other health care professionals work collaboratively.

They are public sector though. Vets are not.
You can't pull people from their private sector jobs and make them work (in a job they are not even trained in) in the public sector.

One advantage: I could always get an appointment at my vet on the same day, absolutely no waiting.

I just hope they remember to stick the thermometer in the other end if a vet treats me !

There are ten times as many doctors as vets in the UK.

Wondering if Pet Plan would pay for me to get menopause advice?!

I'm not sure about that.....

If I call the doctor with a bit of uncomfortable trapped wind I do not want the person treating my to put on a shoulder length glove and lube up, but that's what my vet would do.

Likewise if I break my leg I think being shot at the scene is a bit drastic.

Also have you seen the tools horse vets use for teeth? They look like medieval torture devices!!!!

Vets are paid less than resident medical Dr’s. A vet 2 years out of veterinary school is paid approx £38k per year- they get no extra for oncall or out of hours. It is not a 9-5 job.
a medical Dr 2 years out of medical school is paid more and does receive extra payment for oncall etc.
it’s important to remember that a vet also carries the title Dr.

if we moved to an American health care service- costs for hearth care would be much greater than the vet bills we pay.

oh and vet jobs for new grads are becoming to find

OP, this is a brilliant thread ! Responses cover the spectrum from serious (and sometimes rather pompous) through things like bedside manner, insurance and costs, and explanations of symptoms and treatments, to the humorous.

Favourites for me are the lighter ones, treats, thermometers, sniffing in the waiting room….