Your local independent farm vets

Why we are independent and what it means to you

Oakhill Veterinary Centre is one of the few remaining independent veterinary practices in the Lancashire area, but what is an independent vets?

There are two main business models in the UK for veterinary practices: independent and corporate. When choosing a veterinary practice for your animal’s care it’s important to know the difference.

Historically, the most common model was the independent practice, like Oakhill Veterinary Centre, founded in 1974, some 50 years ago. Independent practices are owned and run by an individual or small group of vets who work within the practice.

Corporate practices are owned by a corporation and are one of many branches in a chain; regionally or nationally and run to a formula often remotely dictated.

We have created a practice where we take care of our team through consistent communication and viewing them as the passionate, talented individuals they are, rather than a system to be used. A practice where your pet is treated as a member of the family, and you are considered a partner in your pet’s care. Transparency about care options and costs are a guiding principle.

How many vet practices remain independent?

Independent practices in the UK are Increasingly becoming less common as corporates are buying up independent practices and competing against each other for market share. Corporates in the UK currently have around 65% of the market, often continuing to use the original practice identity long after a buyout, and effectively reducing choice in a given area.

Hopefully, this has helped to explain why we believe that an independent practice will always be your best choice.