Vet's insight on referral pricing

[AliceM456]

Looking for some insight please I had also posted in 'Pets'....

Is the price of surgery via veterinary referrals much higher recently?

I am wondering if my extortionate quote given is 'normal' or if it's artificially high before the government's regulations come in next year to make the industry fairer in respect of vet fees?

Looking for honest opinions from any MNers close to the industry if poss?

Ta :)

Referral costs are generally a lot higher, as you are usually being referred to someone with a specialism and/or specialist equipment, and those things cost money.
I'm not aware of the Referral centres around here having jumped in price recently, although they do increase with inflation. Bear in mind NI and increased staff wages will have a bearing on costs too (I'm not a Referral vet, just a "normal" vet!!)

There have been various news articles recently about vets being increasingly owned by private equity companies and that is leading to higher and higher prices for pet owners, well above what pet insurance covers.

https://tribunemag.co.uk/2024/11/private-equity-is-coming-for-your-pets-vets