West Bar Veterinary Hospital is an independent, RCVS Accredited Veterinary Hospital in Banbury and a member of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme. It offers 24/7 emergency care on site through its own team, alongside medical, surgical and nursing care, with in-house laboratory and imaging facilities and website references to keyhole surgery. Recent feedback is mixed overall: many owners praise the clinical care, communication and compassion shown by individual vets, while others report problems with continuity of care, reception manner and some end-of-life experiences.
West Bar Veterinary Hospital is an independent, RCVS Accredited Veterinary Hospital in Banbury and a member of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme. It offers 24/7 emergency care on site through its own team, alongside medical, surgical and nursing care, with in-house laboratory and imaging facilities and website references to keyhole surgery. Recent feedback is mixed overall: many owners praise the clinical care, communication and compassion shown by individual vets, while others report problems with continuity of care, reception manner and some end-of-life experiences.
Services
•24/7 emergency and hospital care: The hospital says it provides round-the-clock emergency cover with its own team. Reviews describe emergency intake after a dog attack, in-patient stays, and owners being allowed to visit hospitalised pets.
•Medical, surgical and nursing care: The clinic presents itself as a veterinary hospital with broad medical and surgical capability, including keyhole surgery.
•In-house diagnostics: Website information lists an on-site laboratory and imaging facilities.
•Complex and ongoing case support: Reviews mention cancer detection, chemotherapy support, longer-term monitoring, discharge planning, and regular updates during hospital stays, sometimes including photos.
•End-of-life care: Euthanasia, cremation arrangements and ashes return are all mentioned in reviews, with experiences ranging from very compassionate support to more difficult accounts.
•Avian care: Reviews specifically mention access to an excellent avian vet.
Pricing
No published pricing information is currently available for this clinic.
People
•Charlotte Maskery (vet): Praised for attentiveness that led to a cancer diagnosis, and for support during chemotherapy.
•Sam Celeste: Mentioned positively for advice during chemotherapy support.
•Sam Higgs (vet): Repeatedly praised for explaining euthanasia options clearly, giving families space, and sending a personalised condolence card.
•Sophie (vet): Mentioned for keeping an owner updated during a cat’s stay and sending photos.
•Richard: Described by a reviewer as a senior figure/partner, and credited with overseeing kidney-failure care, helping owners weigh treatment against euthanasia, ensuring privacy at the end of life, and sending a condolence card.
•Wider team: Reviews mention caring nurses and skilled vets, but reception feedback is notably more mixed.
Reviews
West Bar Veterinary Hospital has a 4.7/5 Google rating from 266 reviews.
•Recent feedback includes strong praise for emergency and complex care, with owners describing pets being stabilised, hospitalised, monitored closely and, in some cases, effectively saved by the team.
•Individual vets stand out in positive reviews, especially for clear explanations, calm communication, updates during hospital stays, and compassionate support during euthanasia.
•The most detailed criticism focuses on continuity of care, with one owner feeling their dog’s case became more impersonal later on and that further investigation and palliative discussion were lacking.
•Reception manner and end-of-life handling are the clearest recurring weak points in negative reviews, including complaints about rudeness, the waiting-room environment during euthanasia, and the way remains or ashes were handled.
Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 266 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.
Reece Grigg
I've been to this vets dozens of times and that receptionist with terrible fake eyebrows is just so rude and unwelcoming for no reason. I've spoken to many many people both inside the vets and other customers of this vets and they all say the same thing about that woman. Even just the looks she gives you, the way she talks to you, everything. She needs to cheer up or change job.
Fuchsia Linsley
I cannot recommend West Bar Clinic highly enough. The care, professionalism, and compassion shown by the entire team made an extraordinary difference to both me and my pet, Pumpkin. Quite simply, she would not be alive today if it weren’t for the expert judgment, dedication, and support of the vets and veterinary specialists here.
During an incredibly stressful and emotional time, the staff were not only highly skilled but also kind, patient, and reassuring. I always felt listened to, supported, and confident that Pumpkin was receiving the very best care possible.
I am only moving to another practice due to a change in my job location and needing something closer to home not because of any dissatisfaction. I will always be deeply grateful to West Bar Clinic and would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for exceptional veterinary care.
MICHAEL ROBERT RILEY
Me and Husky Skye have been together for a longtime and they saved my husky for me like to say they are amazing for what they have done for my Skye and will be keeping my Husky with them Thank you so much.
a b
West Bar has an excellent avian vet and clearly dedicated vets all round. Where they let themselves down is firstly in in their euthanasia procedures, which in my experience on 4 occasions was cackhanded and unsympathetic, and secondly in the unempathetic attitude of their reception staff. They may take heed of the neighbouring veterinary practice, which lights a special candle to alert other visitors that a euthanasia is taking place so a respectful silence can be maintained. I had a terrible and traumatic experience of dogs fighting loudly in reception at the point when my already traumatised pet was on the verge of death in the next room. None of the staff did a thing about it. I went and politely asked the dog owner to leave the building and he rudely refused but still the staff did nothing. I then had to return to my dying pet while the euthanasing vet muddled on. On another occasion, the reception staff were blatantly rude, both on the phone and in person, when I took in a sick animal I'd spent many hours rescuing, nursing and successfully tracing the owner of, and later when I enquired about its progress out of compassion, having offered to guarantee all the fees. All this after I've paid literally thousands of pounds to the practice over the years. Frankly, unless birds need expert treatment at the Southam Road branch, I prefer to patronize the respectful and empathetic veterinary practice next door.
Chris “ChrisJ163” Jenkins
Our beloved dog Murphy was sadly diagnosed with Intramuscular Hemangiosarcoma in March. From the outset, we received excellent care from Charlotte Maskery, whose attentiveness led to the discovery of the cancer. For that we’ll always be grateful. Her support during chemotherapy was also excellent, and we also appreciated the advice provided by Sam Celeste.
Unfortunately, not all of our experience was positive. From the beginning, we emphasised how important continuity of care was - especially as my partner is a nurse with great experience in patient care. Murphy was also a particularly anxious dog. Despite this, after his chemotherapy we were suddenly passed between different vets without explanation, making a difficult situation harder.
Another concern arose when Murphy developed an intermittent cough. We were told it was likely the cancer had spread, but no scans were ever performed to confirm. Given his weakened immune system and other recurrent infections, we wanted other possibilities explored. After raising this several times with no progress, we sought a second opinion at Mansion Hill Vets. They carefully reviewed Murphy’s full history, considered alternative causes such as acid reflux, adjusted his pain medication, and his cough disappeared within 24 hours. It was frustrating that no steps had been taken sooner, nor were palliative care options ever discussed. Sadly, it felt as though because his prognosis was poor, he had simply been written off. The difference at Mansion Hill was stark.
Murphy sadly passed away two months later. The way his remains were handled by West Bar was deeply upsetting. When I brought him in on the Sunday of his passing, I was met by a staff member whose overly cheerful demeanour felt completely inappropriate. I was immediately asked whether I wanted cremation or a casket. Given he had passed away only 30 minutes prior, I was still in shock and this was not something I had considered. This happened before he was even out of the car. There was no offer of help carrying him, and I was told to ‘put him on the table over there’. Most distressingly, I was asked if I wanted time with him “before she bagged him up.” The lack of understanding was shocking, and traumatising to think what was about to happen to your beloved companion.
Although I later lodged a complaint and received a phone call of apology from the head of practice, I haven’t heard anything further. This left me worried about how more vulnerable clients - such as the elderly or those without support - might cope.
When I returned to collect Murphy’s ashes, although the staff on reception were friendly, the process again felt cold and clinical. His ashes were handed over the counter in a gift bag with only a certificate of cremation. By contrast, Mansion Hill sent us a beautiful handwritten card with thoughtful words about Murphy, along with Forget-Me-Not seeds to plant in his memory. Such a simple gesture showed genuine care.
In summary, while we are very thankful for the excellent care provided early on by Charlotte and Sam, our overall experience at West Bar left us feeling let down. Towards the latter part of Murphy’s treatment, the approach became impersonal, lacking in both palliative care and compassion. In comparison, Mansion Hill demonstrated a much higher standard of empathy and holistic care, and we will always be grateful for the comfort they brought Murphy in his final weeks.
Chris “ChrisJ163” Jenkins
Our beloved dog Murphy was sadly diagnosed with Intramuscular Hemangiosarcoma in March. From the outset, we received excellent care from Charlotte Maskery, whose attentiveness led to the discovery of the cancer. For that we’ll always be grateful. Her support during chemotherapy was also excellent, and we also appreciated the advice provided by Sam Celeste.
Unfortunately, not all of our experience was positive. From the beginning, we emphasised how important continuity of care was - especially as my partner is a nurse with great experience in patient care. Murphy was also a particularly anxious dog. Despite this, after his chemotherapy we were suddenly passed between different vets without explanation, making a difficult situation harder.
Another concern arose when Murphy developed an intermittent cough. We were told it was likely the cancer had spread, but no scans were ever performed to confirm. Given his weakened immune system and other recurrent infections, we wanted other possibilities explored. After raising this several times with no progress, we sought a second opinion at Mansion Hill Vets. They carefully reviewed Murphy’s full history, considered alternative causes such as acid reflux, adjusted his pain medication, and his cough disappeared within 24 hours. It was frustrating that no steps had been taken sooner, nor were palliative care options ever discussed. Sadly, it felt as though because his prognosis was poor, he had simply been written off. The difference at Mansion Hill was stark.
Murphy sadly passed away two months later. The way his remains were handled by West Bar was deeply upsetting. When I brought him in on the Sunday of his passing, I was met by a staff member whose overly cheerful demeanour felt completely inappropriate. I was immediately asked whether I wanted cremation or a casket. Given he had passed away only 30 minutes prior, I was still in shock and this was not something I had considered. This happened before he was even out of the car. There was no offer of help carrying him, and I was told to ‘put him on the table over there’. Most distressingly, I was asked if I wanted time with him “before she bagged him up.” The lack of understanding was shocking, and traumatising to think what was about to happen to your beloved companion.
Although I later lodged a complaint and received a phone call of apology from the head of practice, I haven’t heard anything further. This left me worried about how more vulnerable clients - such as the elderly or those without support - might cope.
When I returned to collect Murphy’s ashes, although the staff on reception were friendly, the process again felt cold and clinical. His ashes were handed over the counter in a gift bag with only a certificate of cremation. By contrast, Mansion Hill sent us a beautiful handwritten card with thoughtful words about Murphy, along with Forget-Me-Not seeds to plant in his memory. Such a simple gesture showed genuine care.
In summary, while we are very thankful for the excellent care provided early on by Charlotte and Sam, our overall experience at West Bar left us feeling let down. Towards the latter part of Murphy’s treatment, the approach became impersonal, lacking in both palliative care and compassion. In comparison, Mansion Hill demonstrated a much higher standard of empathy and holistic care, and we will always be grateful for the comfort they brought Murphy in his final weeks.
Luke Tibbert
Elzbieta Piatkowska
We recently had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Niko, and we couldn’t have asked for a more compassionate vet than Sam Higgs at West Bar Veterinary Practice. He explained our options clearly, treated us with kindness, and gave us the space and support we needed during such a difficult time.
What truly touched us was the personalized card he sent afterward—a small but meaningful gesture that brought comfort in a dark time. Sam isn’t just knowledgeable and professional; he genuinely cares about both his patients and their families. We’re beyond grateful and highly recommend him and the team at West Bar.
Elzbieta Piatkowska
We recently had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Niko, and we couldn’t have asked for a more compassionate vet than Sam Higgs at West Bar Veterinary Practice. He explained our options clearly, treated us with kindness, and gave us the space and support we needed during such a difficult time.
What truly touched us was the personalized card he sent afterward—a small but meaningful gesture that brought comfort in a dark time. Sam isn’t just knowledgeable and professional; he genuinely cares about both his patients and their families. We’re beyond grateful and highly recommend him and the team at West Bar.
Celia Chandler
Had to visit WestBar vets as an emergency appointment after my dog was attacked. From the second we called until Lou was discharged they were kind and calm and extremely professional. I was really distraught but they calmly explained what she needed, and even allowed me to visit her to reassure me that she was okay. Thankfully after their care my old lady is back on the sofa where she belongs. Can’t recommend them enough Thank you
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