Veterinary consults in the UK can vary in length between 5 and 60+ minutes depending on the practice. But why is there so much variation? What does this mean for you? And what are the cost variations?
Table of contents
You aren’t billed by the minute…
Despite it being the case in many professions, it is unlikely that you will be charged per minute of time in a veterinary consultation in the UK. It is more common to have a standard consult fee allowing for a bracket of time appropriate to the problem presented. If all the problems cannot be dealt with in a ‘standard’ length consultation then it is possible you could be asked to book another to discuss further; triaging the most pressing concerns to be dealt with on that day. It is also true that often triaging and only treating the most pressing concerns is the clinically appropriate decision for your pet and is not just about time management.
…but it can be challenging in a fixed time slot
Despite significant time variations, dependent on the problem, that additional consulting time is often not charged for. However, some practices, have additionally, started offering extended consultation services that clients can book if they would like additional time for their pet. Many vets will allow a standard consult to represent the time required for the problem presented. This will mean allowing additional time for more complex cases, booking potentially complex cases against consulting breaks to allow flexibility to extend the time required, admitting patients to the practice for more detailed tests and continuing a conversation by telephone later in the day if required.
A 2018 study interviewed both vets and clients enrolled in it
Interestingly, it showed that often it is the client that feels the need to hurry through the consult, worrying about taking up time and holding others up who are waiting behind them. If you are concerned about time, please make sure that you speak to your vet and ask for the length of time of a consult and whether booking additional time is possible. It is important that you feel you have the time designated to your concerns about your pet so that the best care can be provided to you both.
Over half of veterinary first opinion consults, in a 2019 study, ran over time
In fact, the median time being 10 minutes in first opinion practices. This is probably good for the patients but less good for potential waiting times! In the US, it is more common to have half an hour for consultations. VetHelpDirect’s pricing data suggests that the median consult time in the UK is now 15 minutes suggesting a move in practice towards longer consultations as they have been associated with improved diagnostics and clinical outcomes.
The way practices organise their consults is hugely variable from subscription-based models, turn up on the day clinics, rigid timed consults to more flexible appointment-based systems. All of these ways of working have different pros and cons. It is about finding what is right for you and your pet. You have options and choice. Increasingly there are also telemedicine and digital consultations that may enhance traditional consultations. Ask what you need to know. How likely are you to see the same vet if you wish to? What is the consult length? What are the costs? Always when making a price comparison ensure you are comparing like for like and make sure that you get all the information you need to pick a practice and consult system that works for you both practically and financially.
Further Reading
- Belshaw et al. (2018) “I Always Feel Like I Have to Rush…” Pet Owner and Small Animal Veterinary Surgeons’ Reflections on Time during Preventative Healthcare Consultations in the United Kingdom”
- Corah et al. (2019) “Appointment scheduling and cost in first opinion small animal practice”
Discussion