Terms of Business: Small Animals (Pets)

Thank you for bringing your pet to Parklands Vets for their veterinary care. The following notes explain our terms of business. Should you require further explanation please speak to one of The Reception Team who will be happy to help.

Please note that telephone calls may be recorded for quality and monitoring purposes.

Fees

All fees, drugs, shop products and services are subject to VAT at the current rate.
Payment is required in full at the time of each consultation or on discharge of your pet from the Veterinary Surgery. Payment can be made with cash, by debit card, Credit card and by Internet Banking
Some procedures may require an upfront deposit, you will be advised if this is necessary.
Prescription drugs will not be dispensed without full payment.

If accounts remain unpaid after treatment we will make contact with you to advise of the balance due and a reminder will be sent to you. If the balance of your account has not been cleared within 10 working days of our reminder letter we may pass your details to a debt collection agency or Credit Reference Agency and any additional charges incurred in the collection of the debt such as court fees, correspondence, administration, court attendance, telephone calls and home visits will be added to your account.

All outstanding balances will be subject to interest charges being applied to the account 1 month after treatment and every subsequent month thereafter until the balance is cleared, as advised on our invoices.

Should your payment be declined by your bank, such as a cheque returned unpaid, or card payment declined, your account will be restored to the original sum and an administration fee of £10 + vat will be added to your account plus any interest charges.

Estimates

We will always be happy to provide an approximate price for your pet’s treatment. Please remember that we cannot always say, in advance, exactly what costs may be incurred. We will always attempt to contact you to discuss additional costs should unforeseen complications arise. If we are unable to contact you, the attending veterinary surgeon will perform any additional procedures which, in his or her opinion, are necessary and desirable.

Inability to Pay

If you anticipate difficulties settling your account please discuss the matter with a Partner, Practice Manager or Credit Control BEFORE your pet is admitted to the hospital.

Should you be unable to settle your account as specified, please discuss with our Credit Controller immediately. Instalments and part payments can only be sanctioned with the permission of a Director.

Whilst procedures such as consultations, vaccinations and neuterings have standard prices, the charges for most surgical operations are based on the time they take. The cost of blood tests, X-rays, dressings, drugs, hospitalisation and any special materials (e.g. orthopaedic plates) are always added to the

surgical fee. With the cost of the extras mentioned above, the final charges for major surgery could exceed £2000.00, especially if prolonged hospitalisation is needed. We recommend that you consider the insurance policies that are available to cover veterinary fees.

Direct claims

We will consider all requests to complete a direct claim with your insurance company.

Confirmation of the direct claim being accepted will be advised by a member of the insurance admin team.

Upon acceptance of a direct claim, your insurance excess, copayment if applicable and insurance admin fee will be due, we will expect payment of these upon discharge of your pet and an insurance claim form and Direct claim form agreement should be handed to a member of staff.

Once payment is received from your insurance company our Insurance Admin Staff will advise of any shortfall or overpayment in the cost of treatment.

Treatment not covered by your insurance policy will be advised to you and this payment should be made within 7 days of notification.

All Direct claims are subject to interest charges being applied to the account 1 month after treatment and monthly thereafter if there is still an outstanding balance to be paid.

Written Prescriptions

In line with RCVS guidelines regarding the dispensing of veterinary medications, it is practice policy for all pets to be seen by a veterinary surgeon every 3 months.

The check-ups will allow a vet to review your pet’s condition, discuss any new medications which may be more appropriate for your pet and to check for any problems relating to long-term treatment. It also provides an opportunity for you to discuss any other concerns you may have regarding your pet’s health.

You may choose to purchase your medications elsewhere. If so we will provide a prescription. A fee will be charged for this service.

You may obtain Prescription Only Medicines, Category V, (POM-Vs) from your veterinary surgeon OR ask for a prescription and obtain these medicines from another veterinary surgeon or a pharmacy.

Your veterinary surgeon may prescribe POM-Vs only for animals under their care.

A prescription may not be appropriate if your animal is an in-patient or immediate treatment is necessary.

Information on the prices of medicines is available on request.