What do you want from your vet? (not only for the dog-lovers!)

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

Right, I am setting up my own practice in the next month or so (gulp!) I want to get it right and give people the service they want. Things I think are important are:

Clean, comfortable waiting room, with seperate areas for cats and dogs

Friendly receptionist and staff, easy to get a same-day appointment

To see the same vet each time, if at all possible (as there is only me, you won't get any choice )

Your concerns to be listened to properly, and you and your animal to be treated with respect and empathy.

Procedures and prices to be explained and detailed. Prices to be reasonable.

A good range of in-house facilities (xray/ blood work etc)

Ample parking close by/ right outside

Computerised records/ receipts

What else? What makes a practice a good one in your view? Really interested to hear all views!

I vote for what Kewcumber said! When you are shelling out because your pet is poorly, you don't notice woodchip. You notice the customer service at reception, the attitude of the vet towards your beloved animal of choice and how clean the place is. It is all that matters.

Feeling a bit sad about Gary the Snail myself now. I wasn't allowed pets as a child so tried to satisfy myself with a tray of garden snails. The food was so good, they never left.... (ok, maybe they just swapped in the night, but the numbers never dwindled) until the thrush found them.

after my comment about the cheap plastic chair in the consulting room i took note of the chairs in the waiting room when i was there yesterday.
they are the same cheap plastic green chairs. never noticed before. they are more comfortable than they look - think we had some the same as these when i was a child in the local village hall until they upgraded about 30 years ago! i am not bothered at all about the decor. i dont take it as a given, i really just dont care as long as its clean
anyway at least i dont feel bad if i go in their when muddy
maybe woodchip with washable paint is the way to go . . .

Joolyjoolyjoo - please reassure your dad, I would probably be put off by somewhere that was perfectly decorated.

Clean and tidy is enough.
Our vets is not in a purpose built building and I am sure if I asked them there are loads of things they would change and improve if money was no object - as far as I am concerned as long as they do the very best they can for my beloved pets I don't care about woodchip and tatty consulting rooms. (Not suggesting your rooms are going to be tatty)

there

I confess I am swayed by how well a premises has been maintained, and in particular, how clean it is (should add my house is a tip). This Practice in Bayeux, Normandy has become my benchmark having used it twice in the last 6 months....I've never visited anything approaching it in the UK!

As has already been mentioned absolutely NO product pushing and definately booster reminders sent through the post (I am hopeless and totally rely on getting them!).

Keeping ahead of new treatments that are available (even through referral to someone else) is a must.

I changed vets when my boy was diagnosed with HD as the original one didnt seem to offer much advice after his initial x-ray other than it either wont be too bad and we'll give him painkillers or he'll need to be pts.

After reading on the net what treatments are now available, I changed vets who to one who told me that if he was in too much pain they could try various things to fix it (as it is he's actually improved lots and is fine on a day to day basis).

Oh and here's to every success in your new practice xx