/b/veterinary-news/posts/fitzpatrick-launches-pro-bono-referral-scheme Surrey-based Fitzpatrick Referrals has launched a new scheme whereby referring practices can send one client for free treatment for every 15 paid cases they refer. The scheme will allow regular referrers to gift free treatment worth up to &#163;5000 toen-USTelligent Community 10https://www.vetsurgeon.org/b/veterinary-news/posts/fitzpatrick-launches-pro-bono-referral-schemeTue, 04 Jun 2024 07:49:48 GMT146601cc-3922-4be7-9974-7e1d4e45a66b:d1ebdc39-c784-46f6-b15e-2c74eb0ee183hilary warner0<ul> <li>When I first saw this I thought well it will not apply to me. I do not refer many cases and so far only one in 10 years to Fitzpatrick, nothing ended up being done other than a consult so not certain if that one would count toward the 15. If the local main referral centre offered the same it would take around 2 years for me to obtain a free slot.</li> <li>A heart clinic for humans in India does a similar thing. The wealthiest in society pay full price+&nbsp; extra, those near the top pay full price + a little extra, those in the middle wage bracket pay full price and those lower pay a reduced amount and those with nothing can have treatment free providing the books balance each and every day (heard about this on Radio 4) I guess this is a little like paying tax which is why it is so important that everyone pays what they should pay in this country to make sure the NHS and other services that serve the whole of society are funded correctly- end of this sermon. NB if they can not provide the work for some one of lower means they do not get treated and yes that means they die, they are not allowed to have unbalanced books.</li> <li>Lowering fees overall helps those that can pay but those that do not have a hope it makes no difference to as they will always need help. A point already made.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Maybe it would be good if all referral centres did this and we in primary practice could all see about referring something but it was for the referral centre to decide which ones they took ie I could phone up and be lucky on the day I tried to make a free referral.</li> <li>I do something similar in my primary practice but it is not advertised ie I will help those clients I know need help either by sorting a reduced fee or using some funds that I have been left by various clients for such occasions- depends on what is needed to be done. Sometimes though you have to accept you need to pay. Those working in affluent areas may not have such decisions to make. NB becoming suddenly broke can happen to almost anyone unless you have amazing insurance think what would happen if you suddenly had a life threatening illness that did not kill you but stopped your ability to work and you had a family especially with young children.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>It would be interesting to know how the scheme is going.</p><img src="https://www.vetsurgeon.org/aggbug?PostID=142947&AppID=5&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">