What should I ask about a vet clinic’s reliance on locum veterinarians?
Ask how much of the clinic’s care is delivered by locums, why they are needed, and whether the same ones return. Heavy reliance can mean a staffing gap that you, as the new owner, will have to solve or pay for.
Start with the schedule. Ask who covers which shifts, and how many appointments rest on people who are not permanent. Find out whether the locums are regulars who know the clinic, or whether new faces arrive every time.
Ask why. Is the clinic short of a full-time veterinarian, covering leave, or handling busy periods? A temporary fix is different from a permanent one. If the clinic has tried and failed to hire, ask what was tried and what got in the way.
Look at cost and terms. Request the agreements or invoices, and ask how locums are paid and whether they could leave on short notice. Your accountant can tell you how this cost shows in the books compared to permanent salaries. Think about the patients and the team. Ask whether clients have a favourite locum, and whether staff are content with the arrangement. Then ask the owner what the plan would be if the main locums were unavailable. A clear answer is reassuring. Ask also how the clinic handles records and client communication when a locum treats a patient. Poor notes or inconsistent advice cause trouble for the next doctor, and the habits locums leave behind show the standards the clinic actually holds each person to.
Key takeaways
- Ask who covers which shifts and how many are non-permanent.
- Find out whether locums are regulars and why they are needed.
- Request the agreements and ask what happens if they leave.
Related reading
12 pages on the same subject, grouped by topic.
Buying
- Expert answerHow do I check a kitchen cabinet shop’s reliance on builders before buying?
- GuideBuying a veterinary clinic in Canada
- GuideHow to buy a veterinary clinic in Alberta: licences, ownership rules and what transfers
- GuideHow to buy a veterinary clinic in British Columbia: licences, ownership rules and what transfers
- GuideHow to buy a veterinary clinic in Manitoba: licences, ownership rules and what transfers
- GuideHow to buy a veterinary clinic in Newfoundland and Labrador: licences, ownership rules and what transfers
- GuideHow to buy a veterinary clinic in Nova Scotia: licences, ownership rules and what transfers
- GuideHow to buy a veterinary clinic in Prince Edward Island: licences, ownership rules and what transfers
- GuideHow to buy a veterinary clinic in Quebec: licences, ownership rules and what transfers
- GuideHow to buy a veterinary clinic in Saskatchewan: licences, ownership rules and what transfers
Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAfter buying a business, what is the next step?
Deavo is an advertising and listings platform, not a brokerage, law firm or valuation firm. This page is general information, not legal, tax, accounting or valuation advice, and rules differ by province. Confirm anything you rely on with a qualified professional before you act on it.