Terms and Conditions of Business
Thank you for entrusting the care and attention of your pet to Hythe Veterinary Centre. The following information details our practice Terms and Conditions. Some aspects of the Terms may not be relevant to you, and we request that you ask for further explanation or clarification if required.
FEES
All fees, diets 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 drugs, materials, consumables and diets used. Please ask us if you wish to receive a detailed fee note for any consultation, surgical procedure or transaction with us.
METHODS OF PAYMENT
We will happily provide a written estimate as to the probable costs of a course of treatment. We will try to be as accurate as possible when calculating an estimate, but please bear in mind that any estimate given can only be approximate – often a pet’s illness will not follow a conventional course. Accounts are due for settlement at the end of the consultation, discharge of your pet or upon collection of drugs or diets. For larger procedures, we may ask that you pay 75% of the estimate on admission of your animal. You may settle your account using:
Cash
Debit or Credit Card
SETTLEMENT TERMS
Should an account not be settled within 14 days, a reminder will be sent. Should it be necessary for further reminders to be sent, additional fees may be added in respect of administration costs. These however, may be deducted if payment is made promptly. After due notice to you the client, 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: such as production of reports, correspondence, court fees, attendance at court, phone calls, home visits etc.
INABILITY TO PAY
If, for any reason, you are unable to settle your account as specified, we ask you to discuss the matter as soon as possible with a member of staff.
PET HEALTH INSURANCE
Hythe Veterinary Centre strongly supports the principle of insuring your pet against unexpected illness or accidents. We do not recommend any specific policies, but if you would like to discuss pet insurance, please do not hesitate to talk to us.
COMPLAINTS AND STANDARDS
We hope that you never have recourse to complain about the standards of service received from Hythe Veterinary Centre. However, if you feel that there is something you wish to complain about, please contact the practice on 01303 260003.
OWNERSHIP OF RECORDS
Case records including radiographs and similar documents are the property of, and will be retained by Hythe Veterinary Centre. Copies of these will be passed on request to another veterinary surgeon taking over the case.
OWNERSHIP OF RADIOGRAPHS AND SIMILAR RECORDS
The care given to your animal may involve making some specific investigations, for example taking radiographs or performing ultrasound scans. Even though we make a charge for carrying out these investigations and interpreting their results, ownership of the resulting record, for example a radiograph, remains with the practice. As above, copies are available on request.
OUT-OF-HOURS SERVICE
Hythe Veterinary Centre chooses to outsource out-of-hours ermergency arrangements to a third-party provider. This is located at VetsNow, Cinque Ports Veterinary Hospital, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent. TN23 3EA. Telephoning the Practice’s normal phone number can access the out-of-hours service. An answer phone message will contain the telephone number for VetsNow in Ashford. Please call this number for the emergency vet. You will be expected to transport your animal to VetsNow for treatment. There is an increased cost when using the emergency service.
INPATIENT CARE
Some pets will have conditions that will need them to be hospitalised beyond our closing time of 7:00pm. Most of these cases will need to be transferred to our out of hours provider, VetsNow in Ashford. If a case remains within Hythe Vet Centre, a vet nurse will check your animal as required by an individual nursing plan tailored to the medical needs of the patient. A veterinary surgeon is available on call should the veterinary nurse have any cause to be concerned about his/her condition. At times other than for scheduled checks, the premises will not be manned.
VARIATION IN TERMS OF TRADING
No addition or variation 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.
APPLICABLE LAW
These terms are governed by, and constructed in accordance with English Law. The courts of England will have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any claim, dispute or difference concerning these terms and any matter arising from it. Each party irrevocably waives any right it may have to object to any action being brought in these courts, to claim that the action has been bought in an inappropriate forum, or to claim that those courts do not have jurisdiction. If any provision in these standard terms of business, or its application, is found to be invalid, illegal or otherwise unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS
Please see seperate link to [Privacy Policy / GDPR] <- please link to relevant section
PRESCRIPTION POLICY
Prescriptions are available from this practice.
You may obtain relevant veterinary medicinal products 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 relevant veterinary medicinal products only following a clinical assessment of an animal under his or her care.
A prescription may not be appropriate if your animal is an in-patient or immediate is necessary.
You will be informed, on request, of the price of any medicine that may be prescribed for your animal. The general policy of this practice is to re-assess an animal requiring repeat prescriptions for or supply of relevant veterinary medicinal products every 6 months, but this may vary with individual circumstances. The standard charge for a prescription is £12.50 (per product per 6 months). The fee for the medication check/re-assessment is currently £25. This fee is waived for routine preventive products.