January 2024 49 taking shape where the bigger practices were buying out the smaller practices hopefully attempting to get economy of scale functional. A client seldom saw the same vet twice. Now this seems to be gaining fashion here in SA. Five practices in my area have been bought out in the last few years. Three are still functional. Is it a good move? I would love to hear comments! Bigger is not always better. Another concerning aspect of current practice are the stress levels of practitioners. Being in the group for the SAVA that attempts to help out vets who are suicidal has been a harrowing experience. In the last week I have had three vets who are verging on the brink!. When asked what the causes are the majority blame client/vet relationships and more concerning is vet/vet relationships that seem to easily run aground. It is very difficult to give sound advice in these regards because it often involves taking sides which is not easy if one is being fed a single sided complaint. One can but try! I used one of these experiences to express an opinion on Face Book asking clients to consider their vets wellbeing over the Festive Season. The response was very encouraging and remarkable. Not one person was negative about their vets – maybe that was to be expected due to the respondents being naturally pro vet. But maybe we need to take advantage of that situation and feather our caps a little more! With the Festive Season but two days away I wish you all very well and hopefully next year will be rewarding. v Regulars I Life plus 24
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTc5MDU=