A recent poll at an SPVS members’ meeting found that just 5% of respondents had a well-advanced plan in place to prepare for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) remedies.
With implementation deadlines approaching, SPVS is encouraging practices to make use of the additional time available, involve their teams and take advantage of the practical resources it has developed to help members navigate the changes.
Pete Orpin, SPVS President, said:
“The CMA changes present challenges for veterinary businesses, but there are also opportunities to review how practices operate, communicate with clients and manage their commercial sustainability.
“Our message is not to feel overwhelmed or think you have to do everything at once. The first step is to bring a small team together, understand what needs to be done and agree who will take responsibility for different areas.” A practical starting point: the SPVS CMA Readiness Planner
At the heart of SPVS' support is its CMA Readiness Planner, designed to break down the remedies into manageable actions, allocate responsibilities, set timescales and monitor progress.
Importantly, the Planner encourages wider team involvement, helping practice owners and managers share out tasks across clinical, management, reception, administrative and IT roles. Many elements of preparation can be coordinated by different team members, spreading the workload and making better use of the skills already within the practice.
Members also have access to a range of supporting resources, including:
· Margin Fee Adjuster and Advanced Medicine Strategy Model spreadsheets to explore different medicines pricing approaches and understand the potential impact on income and margins.
· CMA guidance and implementation resources covering key requirements, deadlines and client communications.
· Smarter Practice Tech Day resources, including practical guidance on practice management systems, digital tools, automation and AI to support CMA implementation
and improve efficiency. The accompanying Smart Practice Tech Supplement highlights technology providers and solutions. Ongoing support through the SPVS CMA webinar series
SPVS support continues through its CMA Support Webinar Series, with the next session taking place on 3 December 2026 1:30pm with speaker Becki Maher looking at effectively communicating price and value. Recordings of the first two webinars are also available to members, providing access to practical guidance, expert insight and discussion on the challenges practices are facing.
Pete added:
“Every practice will approach implementation differently, depending on its size, structure and existing systems. That's why practical tools, shared learning and access to relevant expertise are so important.
This is also an opportunity to make improvements that go beyond compliance. Better processes, clearer client communications and a stronger understanding of costs and margins can all contribute to a more sustainable business.
SPVS is committed to supporting members throughout this process – not just explaining what needs to change, but helping them work out how to make it happen.” Accessing SPVS CMA resources and support
The SPVS CMA Readiness Planner, financial modelling spreadsheets, supporting guidance and webinar resources are available exclusively to SPVS members. Not yet a member? Joining SPVS gives veterinary practice owners and leaders access to this growing collection of practical CMA support, alongside business resources, professional development, specialist guidance and a community of peers who understand the challenges of running a veterinary business. Find out more about SPVS membership and CMA support at www.spvs.org.uk.
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