Vet Neil puts a personal touch into his practice

Jul 14 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A VET has set up his own business as a one-man band in reaction to the increasing number of large, faceless groups now dominating the veterinary industry.

Neil Murdoch, who has worked as a small animal vet in the Tyneside area for more than a decade, launched Metrovets last week from a surgery in Longbenton, North Tyneside.

He considers being the only vet in the practice to be a plus for owners – and their animals.

“When animals are ill they are often seen by several different veterinary surgeons throughout the course of their treatment, which can be highly unsettling for both them and their owners,” he said.

“However as the only practicing vet at the surgery I can promise a continuity of personal service rarely provided by other practices. This certainly helps owners feel more comfortable and confident about the care that their pet receives.”

Mr Murdoch says this continuity of care will be the “driving force” behind the business and is a reaction against the trend for large practices to buy up traditional small veterinary surgeries and incorporate them into vet chains.

He said: “Veterinary medicine has become incredibly corporate – it’s being taken over by big practices, backed by venture capitals. The last business I worked for was floated on the stock exchange.

“I want to make a move away from that, I want to provide a very personal service. I think I’m providing a better service. It’s continuity of care – if you go to the doctor, you see the same doctor every time.”

Mr Murdoch, who spent 10 years working at veterinary practices in Newcastle and three in Durham, says that starting his own business has been a “growing ambition”.

He said: “Vets work fairly long hours but I’m finding the challenge very refreshing and it has given me a new impetus.”

Business Link provided help and advice, plus information about grants.

“Business Link was very, very helpful, it’s been incredibly useful. I also spoke to friends in the business,” he said.

In the week since Metrovets opened for business, he has signed up 60 clients, some whom had followed him from his previous practice and others who switched vets because the new surgery is closer to their homes.