BBC Radio 4 has recorded a short documentary for File on 4 Investigates, ‘What’s Happening To Your Vet Bills?’, in which it explores the need for independent veterinary practices across the country.
On Tuesday, 15 April 2025 at 8pm, listeners will be able to tune into a 37-minute documentary which will share the value of independent practices and explain why it is so important that they are accessible to pet owners.
The documentary comes after a campaign group from Berwick-upon-Tweed appealed to FIVP for an independent practice to break the corporate monopoly in their area. Residents felt that, regardless of price, they had no choice but to use a corporate-owned practice due to a lack of competition in their local area.
Speaking on behalf of independent practices will be FIVP member James Weston, the practice manager of Anrich Vets in Greater Manchester. He will be joined by BBC Radio 4 journalist Datshiane Navanayagam to show a ‘day in the life’ of an independent practice.
FIVP members will resonate with James’ passion for independent practice and his dedication to the pets in his local community.
The programme will follow the case of a Staffordshire terrier who was diagnosed with a mass when it visited the independent practice. With its owner unable to afford the necessary treatment, James arranged an interest-free loan and recommended the services of an advanced practitioner who would provide contextualised care.
Also featuring on the documentary will be Susan, a campaigner who contacted FIVP calling for an entrepreneur to open an independent practice in Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Susan will provide a much-needed client perspective on the need for independent practices. She, and many others in her campaign group, have said they would welcome a new independent practice in their community.
Ian Wolstenholme, business development manager, said: “This has provided a wonderful opportunity for the national radio spotlight to be shone on independent practice together with those important values of care, compassion and commonsense which our members will recognise. The programme will be aired across all BBC services and will be available on demand via BBC iPlayer, providing a great talking point for clients and the whole practice team”.
Image © BBC Radio 4
