Jubilee Veterinary Centre

Terms and conditions of business

Thankyou for entrusting your pets care to Jubilee Veterinary Centre.

FEES

All professional fees, food, merchandise and drug charges are subject to VAT at the current rate. Fee levels are determined by the time spent on a case and according to the drugs, materials, consummables diets and equipment used. A list of current prices for consultations and routine procedures is available on request.

You will receive on request a detailed invoice for every transaction with us.

METHODS OF PAYMENT

You may settle your account with us using:

CASH, CHEQUE (with a current bankers card up to its limit) or CREDIT/DEBIT CARD

ESTIMATES OF TREATMENT COSTS

We will provide on request a written estimate as to the probable cost of a course of treatment. Please bear in mind that any estimate given can only be approximate as each case is individual and will receive the appropriate treatment. Where there is any change in treatment regime which means additional cost we will always try and contact you first on the contact numbers given on admission however if we cannot get through to you we will treat your pet to the best of our ability and reserve the right to charge the appropriate fee for this.

SETTLEMENT TERMS

Bills are due for settlement at the end of the consultation, on the discharge of your pet after surgery or hospitalisation or upon collection of drugs or diets. We regretfully cannot offer account facilities. Should a bill not be settled within 28 days then a reminder will be sent. Should a further reminder need to be sent, account fees will be levied. After due notice to you, overdue accounts will be referred to our Debt Collection Agency and further charges will be levied in respect of costs incurred in collecting the debt. Any cheque returned by our bank as unpaid, any credit card payment not honoured and any cash tendered that is found to be counterfeit will result in the account being restored to the original sum with further charges added in respect of bank fees and administrative costs.

INABILITY TO PAY

If for any reason you are unable to settle your account as specified, we ask you discuss the matter as soon as possible with the veterinary surgeon in charge of your case or a member of our accounts department.

Please note that installments or part payments of any account may ONLY be sanctioned by a partner or the practice manager and must be arranged IN ADVANCE of any treatment being carried out.

PET HEALTH INSURANCE

This practice strongly supports the principle of insuring your pet against illness or acidents. Please be aware that it is your responsibility to settle our account and then reclaim fees from the insurance company. Occasionally we may be able to agree to claim directly from your insurance company. Please note a charge may be incurred for this facility. This needs to be agreed IN ADVANCE with one of the partners or the practice manager. Please be aware that you remain liable for the account and that any dispute regarding insurance payment, exclusions or late payments is between you and your insurance company. By law we are unable to intervene beyond providing details of treatments and costs and our professional opinion.

PRESCRIPTIONS

Prescriptions are available from this practice. A medicines determination fee is chargeable. You may obtain Prescription Only Medicines, category V, POMs from us or ask for a prescription and obtain these medicines from another veterinary surgeon or a pharmacy. Your veterinary surgeon must only prescribe POMs for animals under his/her care. The veterinary surgeon may only prescribe the minimum amount of product needed for the treatment course. A prescription may not be appropriate if your animal is an in patient or immediate treatment is necesssary. Practice policy is that animals requiring repeat prescriptions must be examined by a veterinary surgeon every 6 months but this may vary with individual circumstances. A consultation fee will be charged.

COMPLAINTS AND STANDARDS

We hope that you never have recourse to complain about the standards of service you receive from Jubilee Veterinary Centre. If you do however feel that there is something you wish to complain about then we would ask you to please address your comments to our practice manager in writing at the surgery.

OWNERSHIP OF RECORDS

Case records are the property of and will be retained by Jubilee Veterinary Centre. Copies with a summary of the history will be passed on request to another veterinary surgeon taking over the case. As per Royal College Guidelines we reserve the right to charge an administration fee for providing such copies.

OWNERSHIP OF RADIOGRAPHS AND SIMILAR RECORDS

The care given to your animal may involve making some specific investigations eg taking x-rays or ultrasound scans. Even though we make a charge for carrying out these investigations and interpreting their results, ownership of the resulting record eg an x-ray remains with the practice.

DATA PROTECTION

We are required under the data protection act of 1998 to keep your personal information for accounting and record purposes. We will not divulge your details to other agencies except for debt collection purposes. We will use the data that we have to contact you with information beneficial to your animals health eg booster reminders. drug recall information and other products that we feel are relevant and newsletters. If you DO NOT want to receive such information then please inform the practice manager in writing at the surgery.

MISSED APPOINTMENTS

We reserve the right to charge a fee for an appointment that is made and not attended.

VARIATION OF TERMS OF BUSINESS.

No additions or variations of these conditions will bind the practice unless it is specifically agreed in writing and signed by one of the practice partners. No agent or person employed by, or under contract with the practice has the authority to alter or vary these conditions in any way.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AT THE SURGERY.

JUBILEE VETERINARY CENTRE