RW Equine Vet Ltd is committed to providing the highest standard of veterinary care and treatment for your horse. We aim to provide fair charges and competitive fees. By accepting our services or purchase of goods, you the client contractually agree to the Terms of Business as detailed below:
Fees
All fees, consumables and drug charges are subject to VAT at the current rate. Professional fee levels are determined by the time spent on a case and according to the drugs, resources, materials, and consumables used. We believe that our prices are honest and competitive and we run a transparent pricing policy and always charge fairly and consistently. We respect our clients and want you to feel that you get excellent value for our professional care. The cost of prescription only medicines are constantly monitored to ensure are prices are competitive. Please note, that due to governing regulations, once you are in possession of any medication we are unable to refund it, so please ensure you are satisfied with medication before taking ownership of it.
Registered to our practice only
As we offer our clients a comprehensive service for all your horses’ needs, using our own team of vets and providing our own in-house emergency service. To ensure we always provide the correct treatment, we need to be fully aware of your horses’ clinical history at all times. Using more than one vet practice can hinder this process (much like having more than one GP for humans). To enable us provide out of hours and routine appointments for your horses, our condition, in return is that you are only registered to our practice. In the event a second opinion is sought, or a service that we do not offer (MRI scans and colic surgery for example) we would discuss this with you and refer your horse to the appropriate vets.
Estimates of Treatment Costs
We are happy to provide a written estimate as to the possible costs of a course of treatment and/or investigation. It is not always possible to predict all events during the course of treatment and/or investigation. Any estimate given can only be approximate and may be subject to change – as a horse’s illness may not follow a conventional course. We will always try to keep you informed of costs as they arise.
Payment Terms
Accounts are processed, and invoices/statements are sent daily. The account is to be settled within 7 days of the invoice date for all standard visits, or for passing visits it is to be settled by the next working day of the invoice date.
Payment Methods
We accept Switch, Solo, Maestro, Visa or MasterCard credit/debit cards as a preferred method of payment. Card payments can be made over the phone. Cheque with guaranteed cheque card, cash or by bank transfer/ online banking. Cash must be paid either to the attending vet or brought into our office.
Inability to Pay
If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being unable to pay your account please discuss this matter as soon as possible with the Practice Manager. Installments or part payments of any account may only be sanctioned with the permission of the Practice Manager.
Out of Hours
There is an out of hours fee subject to all calls for veterinary visits made through our emergency service and all services and treatments provided out of hours must be paid for at the time of consultation
Opening an Account
New clients are required to pay in advance or at the time of visit either by cash, credit/debit card, for services or goods until an account with us has been opened and approved. We reserve the right to verify all new clients credit rating with a credit reference agency. Certain procedures may require payment in advance, such as Vet for purchase examinations or surgical procedures.
Animal Insurance
We strongly recommend that your equine be insured with a reputable insurance company. However, any insurance agreement is between you and the insurance company and not with the Practice. Insurance claims carry the same payment terms as above. This may mean that you may have to settle your account with us before your insurance company has settled your claim. By prior agreement we may defer these terms on the agreement that your insurance form is signed so payment is made direct to us and that your insurance company have agreed to the claim in principal. You will still need to pay for any excess and costs not covered by insurance (e.g. livery) within the normal terms and any costs later rejected by your insurance company.
Disputes
Any dispute with fees/service presented must be put in writing to the Practice Manager within 3 days of receiving the invoice. Where any dispute is not proven and as a result the payment is late, then overdue accounts procedure will become effective. Therefore clients are always advised to settle their account on time, and if there is a dispute this payment being made without prejudice.
Returned Cheques etc.
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. Additional charges may be added in respect due to bank charges, administrative costs and interest on the principal sum.
Overdue Accounts
Overdue accounts, after due notice to you, will be referred to our Debt Collecting Agency or the County Courts if satisfactory repayment arrangements have not been made with ourselves and all costs incurred will be passed on to you. Any cheque which you issue which is returned unpaid, any credit/debit card payment not honoured and any cash tendered that is found to be counterfeit will result in your account being restored to the original amount together with any fees incurred in the process. We reserve the right that to receive any further service or goods, clients who have an outstanding debt must prepay with a credit/debit card or cash. Persistent late payment will result in the need for all fees to be paid for at the time of treatment or withdrawal of our veterinary services.
Livery Yards/Stables
Our Policy is to normally invoice the horse’s owner directly. Where a livery yard / stables has permission from the horse/pony’s owner to authorise veterinary work, purchase goods or that invoices will be initially settled by them, then that livery yard/stables is responsible for ensuring accounts are settled on time and are liable for any late payment action. Where livery yard/stables arrange such veterinary service or purchases goods from us, it is assumed that permission has been given by the owner for this service or goods to be provided. Please ensure you have made suitable arrangements with the livery yard owner that gives them permission to call the vet on your behalf and authorise treatment for your horse.
Data Protection
We promise to use client details only for the purpose of our business. We will not intentionally pass any details to third parties, unless specifically detailed below, without your permission. We may, from time to time send you veterinary information that would be relevant to you. We aim to maintain your details correct on our database. You, the client, will provide us with correct and updated personal information to allow us to provide our services to you. These include name, contact details, animal details, details of owners or those looking after the animals and details of any other vet the animal has been registered with.
Ownership of Records
Case records, x-rays, blood and laboratory results, ultrasound scans and similar documents are the property of, and will be retained by RW Equine Vet. Even though a charge may be made for carrying out and interpreting the results, ownership of the resulting record (eg: an x-ray or ultrasound scan) remains the property of the practice. Upon request, copies of records with a summary of the history of your horse will be passed on to another veterinary surgeon taking over the treatment and care of your horse.
Previous Medical History
By registering as a client RW Equine Vet has permission to contact your previous vet(s) for any relevant medical history.Variations in Terms & Conditions of Business
No addition or variation of these conditions will bind the practice unless specifically agreed in writing by the RW Equine Vet Ltd. Additionally no agent or person employed by or under contract with the Practice has the authority to alter or vary these terms and conditions in anyway.