Emergency Vets in Greenwich

## Summary Thamesmead PDSA Pet Hospital (The Freda Powell Centre) is part of PDSA (a charity provider) and is described on its website as offering **free and low cost veterinary care to poorly pets in need**. In the latest reviews available to us, owners most often describe a **high-throughput, hospital-style experience** (waiting 30–45 minutes is mentioned) with **strong feedback around end-of-life care** (euthanasia “with care and dignity”) and some routine surgical work (neutering recovery described). Reviews also show a clear split: several owners praise staff helpfulness and communication, while others report **rescheduled appointments, feeling dismissed, and major disagreement over a diagnosis and recommendation** (one owner describes being advised to euthanise a kitten, then receiving a different assessment elsewhere). Concrete specifics mentioned: - **Euthanasia appointments** are described, including staff waiting so an owner could arrive before closing and providing “care and dignity.” - **Neutering** is mentioned, including a post-op concern where the clinic advised a prompt check and reassured the owner. - **Appointment delays/rescheduling** are reported by some reviewers (30–45 minute waits; “rescheduled appointments”). - **Cleanliness/odour** is repeatedly brought up (foul smell; visible urine/faeces/blood on the floor; a dog water bowl “usually not clean”), alongside comments that clinical care was still good. ## Services Based on the structured clinic data, website summary, and the latest reviews available to us, services/capabilities mentioned include: - **Free and low cost veterinary care** for pets “in need” (website statement). - **Emergency veterinary services** (listed in the clinic’s structured data as emergency care/extended hours; no further detail provided in the inputs). - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (listed in the clinic’s structured data). - **Euthanasia** (multiple reviews describe end-of-life appointments and the way these were handled). - **Neutering** (one review mentions a dog recovering post-neuter and being advised to come in for a fast check when concerned). - **Medical assessment and monitoring** (reviews reference assessment of sickness/diarrhoea and heart murmur grading, and advice about follow-up monitoring—though one account disputes the accuracy of the initial assessment). ## People No individual staff names are provided in the inputs, but reviewers describe these roles and behaviours: - **Reception team:** One reviewer says reception asked the vet to **wait so they could arrive before closing** for a euthanasia appointment. - **Vets/vet team:** Several owners describe vets as **patient and explanatory** during euthanasia decisions (e.g., explaining likely underlying problems and being patient while owners were upset). Another owner reports the opposite experience: feeling **pressured toward euthanasia** and later obtaining a different opinion elsewhere, which they say contradicted the clinic’s assessment. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.3 stars from 933 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **End-of-life care is a standout theme:** multiple owners describe euthanasia handled gently, with time, patience, and clear explanations. - **Helpfulness during urgent worries:** one owner reports quick reassurance and advice to come in promptly after a post-neuter concern. - **Conflicting experiences with clinical judgement and communication:** one detailed review alleges being advised to euthanise a kitten for a heart issue and dehydration, then receiving a much less severe assessment elsewhere and later reporting improvement; other reviews say staff were friendly/helpful/knowledgeable. - **Operational experience can feel “A&E-like”:** waits of **30–45 minutes** and **rescheduled appointments** are mentioned. - **Cleanliness/odour concerns appear more than once:** reviewers mention a strong smell and seeing urine/faeces/blood on the floor; one also notes a communal dog water bowl “usually not clean.”

## Summary Medivet Woolwich is part of the Medivet group (a corporate veterinary chain). The practice is set up for routine consultations and diagnostics on-site, with 15‑minute consult slots, an in‑house lab and X‑ray listed. Reviews repeatedly describe vets taking time to explain options and answer questions, including for nervous dogs, and reception trying to accommodate last‑minute appointments. A few concrete touches owners mention include designated cat and dog seating areas at the entrance to help keep visits calmer, and clear follow-up planning (one owner booked a follow‑up in two weeks). ## Services - **15‑minute consultations** (listed by the clinic). - **Dentistry**, including oral care advice/treatment; one review mentions a **prescribed mouthwash for gingivitis** that “worked incredibly well.” - **Diagnostics on-site:** **X‑rays**, **ECG**, and an **in‑house laboratory** (listed). - **Nurse clinics** (listed). - **Home visits** (listed). - **Animal Health Certificate** for pet travel (listed). - **Species seen:** **cats, dogs, rabbits, and avians** (listed). - **Emergency / out-of-hours:** out-of-hours care is provided by **Medivet 24 Hour Beckenham** with a **£130 consult fee**, and **no charge for assessment by phone** (as stated on the website). ## Pricing - **Out-of-hours consult fee:** **£130** (stated for the out-of-hours provider). - **Phone assessment (out-of-hours):** **no charge** (stated). ## People - **Lucy (nurse)** is singled out in a review for caring for animals “so well.” - **Paula (reception)** is mentioned for giving “brilliant advice, support.” - Vets are repeatedly described as **patient and gentle with nervous pets**, and as **explaining treatment and options clearly** (e.g., owners mention feeling reassured and having questions answered fully). ## Reviews **4.3 stars from 189 reviews.** The latest reviews focus on communication, calm handling of anxious pets, and helpful reception support. “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Clear explanations and reassurance:** owners describe vets listening, explaining well, and answering questions fully. - **Handling nervous pets:** multiple mentions of patient, gentle handling (notably with a nervous dog). - **Efforts to reduce stress in the waiting area:** one owner notes **separate cat and dog seating areas** at the entrance making visits calmer. - **Help fitting urgent appointments:** reception is described as trying hard to fit people in “last minute.” - **Treatment outcomes mentioned:** one owner reports **gingivitis improved** after a prescribed mouthwash.