Change Is in the Air: What the CMA Investigation Means for You and Your Veterinary Team
By the Vetmatch Recruitment Team
The UK veterinary sector is undergoing a moment of reckoning – and many of us are watching closely as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) digs deeper into its investigation of the veterinary profession. Whether you're a vet in clinical leadership, a practice manager, or a long-standing RVN, you might be feeling a mix of curiosity, confusion, or concern.
At Vetmatch Recruitment, we work closely with practices of all shapes and sizes – corporate, independent, and everything in between. So, we’re here to break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what the implications might be for veterinary teams on the ground.
What’s the CMA Actually Investigating?
In short, the CMA is looking into whether pet owners in the UK are getting a fair deal when it comes to veterinary services. The focus includes:
Transparency of pricing (especially around medications and diagnostics)
Clarity of practice ownership (as many “local” practices are now part of larger corporate groups)
Availability of consumer choice and whether the market is functioning competitively
Their concern is that pet owners might not fully understand their options, especially if pricing isn't clear or if different practices in a region are actually owned by the same parent company.
Why This Matters to Veterinary Professionals
On the surface, this might sound like an issue just for practice owners or corporate boards. But the ripple effects will undoubtedly reach clinical teams.
Here’s how:
1. Increased Administrative Pressure
If regulation tightens, practices may be required to provide more detailed breakdowns of pricing, offer alternative quotes for medications, or more proactively inform clients about options. This will likely fall on receptionists, nurses, and clinicians during already time-pressured consultations.
2. Impact on Work Culture
For those in corporate practices, the spotlight may trigger internal reviews of how pricing, autonomy, and clinical decision-making are handled. Some vets have already expressed concerns about feeling pressure to hit financial targets. The CMA investigation could bring renewed scrutiny of such practices.
3. Ownership & Career Transparency
Many veterinary professionals are unaware of who truly owns the practice they work in – or how this impacts their career progression and autonomy. The CMA's focus on transparency could lead to better visibility of group structures and clearer career pathways, especially for those aiming for clinical director or partner-equivalent roles.
4. Public Perception
The media coverage surrounding the CMA’s work may influence how clients perceive veterinary practices – potentially fuelling mistrust or assumptions about pricing. It will be more important than ever for frontline teams to feel supported in client communication and pricing explanations.
What Might the Future Hold?
It’s too early to say what concrete changes will come from the CMA’s findings, but some likely developments include:
Mandatory pricing transparency on websites and in clinics
More defined ownership disclosures
Clearer separation between clinical care and commercial decisions
Ultimately, this could be a positive turning point for the profession – reaffirming the importance of clinical freedom, ethical standards, and fairness to both clients and staff.
What Does This Mean for Your Career?
This moment of change is also a moment of opportunity.
If you’re feeling disillusioned in a target-driven setting, now is a great time to explore practices that are realigning with more clinician-led, patient-focused values.
If you’re in a leadership position, you may have a chance to help shape your practice's response – strengthening trust with clients and staff.
And if you’re considering a move, let these developments guide your search: look for transparency, autonomy, and a culture that values your clinical judgement.
At Vetmatch, we’re already seeing practices taking this seriously – investing in communication training, reviewing pricing models, and being upfront with team members about their values and ownership.
We’re Here to Help You Navigate the Shift
The veterinary profession is evolving and we are here to help you navigate that shift.
At Vetmatch Recruitment, we’re always here to listen. Whether you’re quietly considering your options or actively looking for a role that aligns with your ethics and goals, we’ll match you with practices that care not just about compliance, but about people.
Because the heart of this profession has always been you – the vets, nurses, and support teams who give their all, every day.
Let’s make sure that, whatever changes come, they bring not just accountability, but progress.