FIVP was delighted to hear that independent practice and FIVP member House & Jackson was named Practice of the Year at the recent Petplan Veterinary Awards 2024.
We spoke to the team to find out what it takes for a proudly independent practice to compete with corporate-owned practices:
How does it feel to win Practice of the Year?
We’re ecstatic – it’s absolutely wonderful, we are still on cloud nine!
It is very humbling to be nominated by the people that really matter, our clients.
What do you think is the secret to your success?
We are fortunate enough to have some wonderfully talented veterinary surgeons and nurses, with a huge amount of experience, and behind them we have an incredible team of support staff; receptionists and administrators who will go that extra step for our clients without any hesitation. Everyone who works at House & Jackson is passionate about the veterinary world, and caring for our clients’ animals.
What would you say to other independent practices who aspire to win awards like this?
Being an independent practice can be tough, particularly in the current climate where the corporates are buying up lots of the smaller practices.
There is power in size and numbers which is what the corporates have in abundance. It can sometimes feel like we independent practices are the underdog (no pun intended!) But we are staunchly proud to be an independent practice and will continue to shout about it.
We are a practice which has grown over the past 40 years, from a husband-and-wife team operating out of their own home, to an RCVS accredited hospital for small animals and equines, with two well established Pet Clinics nearby. Our power is in our passion and our commitment towards our animals. We have a very loyal clinical and support team who go above and beyond on a daily basis. We are blessed with equally loyal clients who believe in us and our journey.
We wholeheartedly embrace being an independent practice; it allows us to take our own path, and we believe it makes us that little bit more special.
We didn’t set out to win this award, but being recognised by our clients and the Petplan judging panel in this way is an enormous compliment. Other independents should feel equally empowered by their individuality.
What is next for your practice?
We will continue to strive to give our clients and patients the very best care we can. We are currently extending our work with local charities, including the RSPCA and Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Customer service is always a strong focus for us; we are constantly striving to improve our customer experience.
We have the most amazing clients and patients, some of whom have been with us for many years. They are at the very heart of what we do and why we are here.
Ensuring we achieve and maintain the high standards they deserve in all aspects of their journey with us is of paramount importance. We are excited about what the future holds in this ever-evolving industry.
