New CMA Requirements for Veterinary Practices – What This Means for You
As a proudly locally owned independent practice, we have welcomed the CMA’s investigation into the veterinary profession.
Vet Dr Chris has contributed directly to this process, sitting on several CMA investigative panels to provide detailed insight into how independent practices run their businesses and serve their communities.
The investigation was launched in response to the rapid rise of large corporate groups who often retain old practice names, leaving owners unaware of who truly operates their veterinary service.
We have never hidden who we are. We are, and always have been, proudly independent — caring for the pets and people of our community for over 30 years, guided by our six core values:
High Clinical Standards • Communication • Professional Growth • Respect • Teamwork • Community
You can read more about our story and values here:
🔗 https://www.bayvetgroup.co.uk/about-us/
The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has introduced new rules to help pet owners make clearer, more informed choices when choosing a veterinary practice. These changes aim to improve transparency across ownership, pricing, services, and treatment options.
We’re pleased to say that we already comply — and often exceed — many of these requirements. Here’s how the changes affect you and your pets:
🔵 Transparent Ownership
Practices must clearly display who owns them across websites, premises and communications.
✨ We are proudly independent, and we strongly support full ownership transparency across the profession.
🔵 Clear Information on Services, Pricing & Out‑of‑Hours Care
Veterinary practices must now publish clear information about qualifications, accreditations, and emergency provision.
⭐ Our website already includes full details about our brilliant clinical team, including RCVS Advanced Practitioners and consultant-level certificated vets.
⭐ All our branches are accredited under the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme:
- Dawlish & Paignton – General Practice accreditation (for practices reaching the highest primary‑care clinical standards)
- All other branches – Core level accreditation
💷 We also already publish our prices online so that owners can understand costs up front.
🐾 Our Health Plan pages have always clearly explained what’s included and shown the savings compared to pay‑as‑you‑go, meeting the new requirements for transparency around pet care plans.
📨 We’re fully prepared to share information with the RCVS for the enhanced Find a Vet platform once their new system is released.
🔵 Providing Information & Policies on Treatments
These rules ensure pet owners have the clarity and support they need when making treatment decisions.
✏️ Written Estimates
Required for treatments likely to exceed £500, with updates if costs may rise by 20% or £500.
✅ We already provide written estimates for all recommended procedures and will always discuss treatment options for unwell pets.
📄 Itemised Bills
Practices must provide fully itemised bills.
✅ We can already provide itemised bills on request, and we are updating our systems so that itemised bills are provided automatically within the next year.
🐶 Ensuring Clinical Freedom
Vet teams must be able to prescribe and recommend the most appropriate medications in line with RCVS guidance.
✅ As an independent practice, our clinicians already have complete freedom to choose whichever medication or treatment is best for your pet.
✅ We also have a Clinical Committee of vets and nurses who regularly review research, trial data and best practice so that our whole team stays up-to-date and consistently offers the best care available.
📅 CMA Implementation Timeline
- September 2026: Order made and undertakings accepted
- December 2026: Larger corporate groups must comply
- March 2027: Smaller businesses and all groups must meet ownership transparency rules
✅ We will be fully compliant — though much of this is already our standard approach.
💙 Our Ongoing Commitment
Transparency, independence, clinical excellence, and community care have always been at the heart of our practice. The CMA’s new requirements reflect principles we’ve upheld for decades, and we’re proud to continue offering trusted, high‑quality care to our pet patients and their families.
If you’d like to learn more about our team, services or values, please do get in touch — we’re always here to help.