Terms and Conditions and Practice Policies

Terms and Conditions

Kings Bounty Equine Practice Terms and Conditions for Consumers

Kings Bounty Equine Practice Terms and Conditions for Businesses

Practice Policies

  1. INSTRUCTIONS

We cannot accept instruction from any person under 18 years of age and for insurance purposes, the horse should be presented by someone 18 years or over. By signing this form, you as the owner/loanee, agree that the person responsible for the care of your horse, if applicable, has your permission to request veterinary advice/attendance/investigation/ treatment. If you are a loanee, that you have permission to request veterinary advice/attendance/investigation/treatment from the legal owner. The signatory will be responsible for all costs incurred. Requests for changes to account details will only be accepted if made in writing by the account holder.

2. NEW CLIENTS

New clients will be welcomed to the practice once the registration form has been completed and that any on going treatment by the previous practice has been declared. It should be understood that, where relevant, the previous practice will be contacted out of professional courtesy and in order to obtain any associated history. New clients will be asked to pay at the time of veterinary attendance for the first 3 visits. Terms and Conditions and the Practice Privacy Policy will be made available to clients at the time of registration and will be available on our website at all times.

3. INSURANCE

Clients are respectfully requested to settle all outstanding amounts within the required 14 day payment term whether or not the treatment is part of an insurance claim. The practice will endeavour to assist clients to reclaim monies from the insurance company by completing insurance forms as promptly as possible. A small administration fee is charged for this. Claim forms will be returned to you for you to forward to the insurance company in order for you, the policyholder, to manage the claim. Clients will remain responsible for all charges should the insurance company, for any reason, refuse the claim. Should clients wish for the insurance company to settle with the practice directly, prior agreement with the practice must be sought.

4. MEDICATION

In order to comply with RCVS regulations, medication cannot be dispensed nor prescriptions written, if the patient has not been examined for the condition requiring treatment.   Prescriptions are available from this practice but, as is general policy of this practice, only if the horse has been seen by the veterinary surgeon within the last 6 months. A prescription fee will be charged. The practice reserves the right to re-examine the horse, in certain circumstances, prior to issuing a repeat prescription. An examination fee may be charged. Prescriptions may not be appropriate if your horse needs urgent treatment. The costs of any dispensed medicines can be requested at any time.  Medications can not be returned for a refund (re-sale is not permitted) but the practice is willing to dispose of medications dispensed by the practice in the appropriate clinical waste without charge. Passports should be available at the time of the examination in order for the attending veterinary surgeon to ensure that the appropriate medication records are completed or Section IX is signed off to prevent the horse from entering the human food chain.  It is the responsibility of the owner/keeper of the horse to ensure that vaccinations are given at the required intervals. A courtesy text message vaccination reminder service is in place for clients if we have given your horse its last vaccination in the last 12 mths, but the practice in no way accepts responsibility for any failure in the reminder service nor any loss incurred as a result of an out of date vaccination programme. Subject to the professional duty of the Veterinary Surgeon, the practice reserves the right to make final decisions on treatment.

5. DIAGNOSTIC IMAGES

Radiographic and ultrasonographic images are an aid to diagnosis. The associated charges pertain solely to our acquisition and interpretation of these images and not to the images themselves. Supply of such images, without opinion, is also available upon request.  The practice can supply copies of these images, preferably directly to a veterinary surgeon or farrier for their interpretation. The practice reserves the right to charge an administration fee for the transfer of this data.

6. PRE PURCHASE EXAMINATIONS

Information pertaining to pre purchase examinations remains the property of the individual instructing the practice. Radiographs, ultrasound scans and endoscopic images obtained in order to formulate an opinion remain the property of the practice. New clients to the practice will be asked to pay the full cost of the vetting in advance and any differences retrospectively refunded/charged. A cancellation fee of £100 may be charged if a vetting is cancelled within one working day of the arranged visit.

7. SECOND OPINIONS

The practice is willing to refer any case for a second opinion.  All relevant clinical history including copies of diagnostic images will be forwarded directly to the relevant veterinary surgeon upon your request.

8. PAYMENT

Payment for veterinary services is due within 14 days of the invoice being sent. We urge you to contact the practice as soon as possible if you are concerned that you are unable to meet these payment terms. The practice reserves the right to charge a late payment fee and interest (4% above base lending rate) on all balances that are unpaid 14 days after invoice issue date. Outstanding balances may be referred to a debt collection agency who will collect any outstanding debt in a way that they think fit. The debt collection agency will apply additional fees and interest to any such debt to cover their collection fees. Full details will be provided before the debt collection process begins.  Legal channels may also be pursued. Further charges will be levied in respect of costs incurred in collecting the debt e.g. production of reports/calls/other legal fees.  The client will be informed in writing that veterinary services will be either restricted or suspended.

Estimates for treatment are available upon request. Clients are asked to acknowledge that estimates will not and cannot take into account the costs incurred due to complications or variations of the individual horse’s response to treatment.  All known complications to any treatment will be discussed at the time with the owner or, unless stated otherwise by the owner, the delegated person responsible for the horse. Costs incurred by the practice on the client’s behalf, such as external laboratory fees, may be invoiced at a later date. Missed visits may incur a visit fee & any associated costs to the practice. Clients are encouraged to pay by BACs transfer but payment can also be made by cheque/ debit card/ credit card (we do not accept American Express) (a surcharge is passed on to the client for payments made with a business credit card or international transaction). Any cheque returned by our bank as unpaid, any payment card not honoured, will result in the original account being restored to the original sum with further charges added to cover bank charges, administrative costs and interest.

9. OUT OF HOURS

This practice provides a 24/7 emergency service. In the event of an emergency clients are asked to call 01209 823227 in order for the duty vet to be paged. Details are on the answering machine of all phones and the website. A fee may be charged for out of hours requests for advice only.

10. COMPLAINTS, COMPLIMENTS AND COMMENTS

We are committed to providing a high quality equine veterinary service to all of our clients. If you have a complaint, please call the office or vets directly or if you prefer by email/post. We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint and contact you to discuss the matter further.

11. Privacy POLICY

Kings Bounty Equine Practice is registered with the ICO as a Data Controller (No: ZA327329) Please see our additional Privacy Policy about how we process your personal data.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS    

The practice reserves the right to review and update the Terms and Conditions, Practice Policies & Privacy Policy – current copies can be found on the practice website.  These terms do not affect your statutory rights.

Kings Bounty Equine Practice Ltd, Unit 2, The Old Stables, West Tisted, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0HJ Registered in England & Wales No.8634181. Registered office: VetPartners Spitfire House, Aviator Court, York.YO30 4UZ