Buckingham Equine Vets – COVID Update 13/04/2020
Although the UK lockdown continues, further guidance from our governing bodies has reduced the restrictions on vets. Therefore from Tuesday 14th April 2020 we will be undertaking more “routine” procedures to ensure the welfare of your horse or pony is not compromised. This updated approach is in line with the Government, RCVS and BEVA advice. We must emphasise, however, that this is by no means “business as usual”.
Key Points
- A risk assessment will be performed for all visits to ensure social distancing can be maintained.
- Vaccinations can be performed. A vaccine amnesty will be available for vaccinations which went over due to the COVID lockdown. During the amnesty period, the second vaccination will be free of charge. Please note this does not include the visit fee.
- Our free visits scheme will unfortunately remain suspended due to a reduced workforce. We are, however, offering a reduced visit fee for routine work.See below for further details.
- Payment for all calls (excluding insurance work) will be taken before or at the time of the visit.
- Our reminder service for routine care will continue to be provided.
- During a visit we will only be treating horses of registered clients.
- Office opening hours are 9am-5pm
Visit Fees
During this period of COVID-19 lockdown and reduced workforce, our free visit zone scheme has been suspended. We are now offering a reduced visit fee for routine work only. This is a flat rate of £20. To qualify for this reduced fee you must be flexible on date and time (any vet any time basis). If we are seeing 4 or more horses for routine care only, we will waive the visit fee (this is again on an any vet any time basis). If you require a specific time, specific date or wish to have a specific vet perform your horses routine care, this will incur a full visit fee.
Vaccine Amnesty
If your horse’s vaccinations have become overdue due to the Corona Virus pandemic and national lockdown and require a restart of the primary course, you will be eligible for our vaccine amnesty. The 1st vaccination of the primary course will need to have been started during April 2020 and the 2nd vaccination given in May 2020. During the amnesty the second vaccination only will be free of charge. Please note this does not include any visit fees. This amnesty is only available for existing clients.
Social Distancing
It is of upmost importance that we are able to maintain social distancing to protect our vets, protect our clients and ensure we are not contributing to the spread of Corona Virus. For that reason we ask that all horses are tied up inside or outside their stables, any rugs removed and social distancing maintained at all times throughout the visit. In the case of vaccinations, please leave the passport out in a visible place for the vet to complete. We will be sending out an advice sheet prior to visits outlining the guidance for social distancing to be achieved at a visit.
Our risk assessment will identify those horses/ponies where social distancing may not be possible. In this situation we will endeavour to find a solution to ensure the safety of our vets and the general public.
If your horse or pony is not amenable to being handled by a single individual (the attending vet), we ask that you make us aware of this when booking a visit so that we can come to a solution which keeps in line with the social distancing measures. In some circumstances an oral sedative may be prescribed prior to the visit.
We understand there may be some concerns with about this updated guidance. As a profession we have always advocated a “prevention rather than cure approach” where possible. By maintaining a healthy horse, you reduce the risks of certain conditions thus alleviating the need for longer, more in-depth visits in the future, which require a greater level of contact.
We thank you for your ongoing support and patience in these difficult times.
