Profession at crossroads as stakeholders clash over arrival of large corporations. When Europe's biggest veterinary company, IVC Evidensia, wanted to reach deeper into the Irish market last year, it offered practitioners a round of golf.
Historically, the Republic of Ireland had not been a very welcoming place for corporate consolidators, none of which had bought a single practice there until Veterinarians invited to the company's May 9, , shindig at the posh Carton House estate in Kildare got to play the manicured greens and fairways of a championship golf course. Attendees included veterinarians who had already joined the Bristol, England-based company, which also owns the Independent VetCare brand.
Others were in the process of having their practices acquired, while some were simply curious, according to the company. IVC Evidensia's efforts to bring more practices into a fold that encompasses around 1, clinics in Europe come as the Irish veterinary sector reaches a crossroads. Ireland remains a relative holdout against the wave of corporate consolidation that has taken place in other developed markets, such as the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.
While Northern Ireland is part of the U. Ireland's heavy weighting toward independent ownership was partly supported by its regulatory framework. Up until recently, the country's Veterinary Practice Act was widely interpreted as barring non-veterinarians from owning veterinary practices.
But interpretations of that law are changing, bringing to the fore in Ireland a question that is still being asked in the U. Tensions in Ireland rose in December , when the industry's regulatory body, the Veterinary Council of Ireland VCI proposed an amendment stating that it could not prevent lay companies from acquiring practices. The VCI's interpretation of the legislation sparked some criticism but following a period of public consultation and seeking further legal advice, it officially added the amendment last year.
The council's Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Practitioners now incorporates this statement in chapter 4 : "The Veterinary Council has no statutory authority role or remit in relation to the ownership of veterinary practices under current legislation. Like most detractors of corporatization, Veterinary Ireland is concerned that businesses could compromise on clinical standards to maximize profits on behalf of shareholders, its chief executive, Finbarr Murphy, told the VIN News Service.
Veterinary Ireland also doesn't like the idea of non-veterinarians having control over drugs that can be dangerous if not administered by a professional. Murphy said the existing Irish legislation "clearly prohibits" lay involvement in the practice of veterinary medicine and the sale and supply of prescription drugs. The VCI rejects that criticism. She noted that all veterinary practices in Ireland must have what's called a certificate of suitability — a license that can be held only by a qualified veterinarian or veterinary nurse registered with the VCI.
She added: "Our concern is for the public interest, animal welfare and public health. So our main focus is on the safe operation of veterinary practices around the country.
In its opposition to the VCI's view, Veterinary Ireland has argued that the concepts of practice ownership and animal welfare aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, as was perhaps demonstrated last year in the northern county of Donegal. The practice closure, which made local and national headlines, reportedly left dozens of farmers scrambling to seek replacement veterinary care.
At the time, IVC Evidensia cited "staffing and regulatory issues" for the closure. But Dr. Ciaran Roarty, a veterinarian at the practice, insisted that there was "no legal, ethical or regulatory reason" for the closure, according to a statement he issued widely to the Irish press. Catharina Burch, IVC Evidensia's head of communications, did not elaborate on why the practice was closed, or whether or when it would reopen. In an emailed statement, Burch said only: "We believe in local autonomy supported processes and best practices allowing our clinics to focus on what they do best, putting patients and customers first.
IVC Evidensia Ireland is proud to have an ethos and culture that supports locally led clinics. Obtaining advice well in advance of any transaction will give practice owners time to identify and address potential problems and ways to enhance value. See a sample. Please update your payment details to keep enjoying your Irish Times subscription. Lockdown leads to higher turnover for vets as pet ownership increases Top challenge facing veterinary practices relates to staffing levels, new report finds Tue, Feb 16, , Colin Gleeson.
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