IT’S OFFICIAL: BRITAIN’S
PETS ARE TREATED BETTER THAN THEIR OWNERS
-
Survey reveals that
pet healthcare
leaves NHS in the shade
-
8 out of 10 pet owners believe pets get a
better deal than humans
-
Almost 9 out of 10 sick pets seen by vets
within 24 hours
Britain’s vets get the thumbs up in a new survey
which reveals that pets get significantly faster
access to veterinary treatment than their owners
do to NHS doctors. Pets also receive treatment
for illness or accident far faster than their
owners can through the NHS.
Petplan,
the UK’s number one
pet insurance provider, asked 2000
adults to compare experiences and views on the
veterinary health system as opposed to the
services provided for humans.
8
out of 10 of the pet owners surveyed believed
it’s far easier to get treatment for our pets
than it is for ourselves, and they are
universally delighted with the speed of service
from Britain’s vets. 88 per cent of pet owners
believe that their animals are seen and treated
more quickly than humans are by the NHS.
Getting to see a vet is described as ‘very easy’
by 85% of pet owners, with none citing it as
difficult. Some 80% were able to see their vet
within 24 hours; fewer than 10% waiting more
than 48 hours. This is in stark contrast to the
recently-highlighted difficulties many people
have found in getting to see their local GP.
And it appears that the ‘postcode lottery’ is
not an issue when it comes to veterinary
treatment. Figures were similar through
England, Scotland and Wales. So, where you live
doesn’t have an impact on access to veterinary
treatment.
The time taken for treatment following diagnosis
is also impressive. Of those needing urgent
surgery or treatment a staggering 92% were dealt
with on the same day or the day following
diagnosis. Only 8% reported having to wait
more than two days.
The most common treatment was for the removal of
lumps and tumours at 20%. This was closely
followed by treatment of abscesses (15%), road
traffic accidents (8%) and arthritis at 6%.
Fiona Pinkney, communications manager at Petplan
believes the survey is a massive vote of
confidence in Britain’s veterinary service:
“Of course it’s difficult to make a direct
comparison with the NHS – vets are commercial
practices after all. However our survey reveals
that vets are clearly doing a fantastic job, and
pet owners are delighted with the speed and
efficiency with which their pets are looked
after.
What pet owners need to consider is that
veterinary treatment doesn’t come cheap. The
cost for removing a lump or tumour can be as
much as £1000, treating an abscess can cost up
to £500, road traffic accidents can cost up to
£3,000 to treat and arthritis is an ongoing
condition which can cost up to £500 per year*.
By taking out adequate
pet insurance cover, your pet can receive
the excellent treatment that the veterinary
profession provides, without the worry of how
you will afford to pay for it.”
Pet Plan
pet insurance
·
The survey was conducted by You
Gov, one of the UK’s largest and most accurate
independent pollsters
·
The sample size was 2000 adults,
nationally representative of the GB adult
population
·
55% of respondents were pet
owners
·
25% of pet owners had active
pet insurance
policies
·
75% of pet owners did not have
any pet insurance
·
* All costs are approximations
About Petplan:
·
Petplan is the UK’s
largest provider of animal health insurance. It
was launched in 1976, revolutionising the small
animal insurance market
·
Petplan is a brand
of Pet Plan Ltd, a subsidiary of Allianz
Cornhill Insurance plc.
Allianz Cornhill Insurance Plc is the world’s
largest animal health insurer, insuring in
excess of 800,000 animals and receives over 1100
claims per day, paying out over £1 million each
week
·
The Petplan
Charitable Trust, providing grants for the
welfare of dogs, cats and horses by funding
education and welfare projects, has now raised
over £3 million
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