Medivet asked about my recent experience, so I told them. I don't think they would really want me to copy my review and post it on Google. Not really.
"I first registered with The Laurels in 2022 on my return from Hong Kong. I did not want to return to my local vets, Foxgrove in Beckenham, which had already been taken over by Medivet. I had had a bad experience wth a Russian (?) vet there who made it quite clear through her racist, dog-whistling insinuation (her conversation with embarrassed reception staff turned to refugees and asylum seekers as soon as I walked into the room. I have not forgotten it or her hostile expression), that I was not welcome there.
The Laurels was at the time staffed by great, friendly staff who took time and trouble to get to know me and my dogs. They were extremely kind when I took my dogs to be put to sleep. In particular Nurse Sarah has always been extremely caring and kind.
Last week I took my dog for a 6-monthly check as included in the health plan. The decor had changed and looked like a faceless and sterile US doctor's office. Staff were obviously unhappy at being reprimanded for talking during their lunch break, and at a computer system that does not work, and a gloomy pall hung over the reception, as we learned that it was yet another employee's last day. Apparently she was the 9th member of staff to leave the practice this year.
We were called in by a (E European?) vet who did not smile, did not use either my name or my dog's and spent about a minute with us. She listened to my dog's heart but did not take his temperature. When I asked if he was all right and there was anything else she wanted to know she replied "No. I can see he looks all right." And that was the consultation. Peremptory, brisk, with no effort at friendliness or getting to know my dog. One treat was offered.
The vet emerged into the reception area after a couple of minutes and handed over my dog's wormers and that was that. My dog enjoys his vet visits but we both left feeling very flat.
On my return home I registered immediately with a highly-recommended local, independent vet practice. My dog means the world to me and I will not have him treated like an object on a conveyor belt. This is clearly the Medivet effect. Everyone I know thinks the same about Medivet. I was wiling to give them a chance but this was a sad and dismal experience for us. Medivet need to do much, much better.
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