STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS
FEES
All fees, diets and drug charges are subject to VAT at the current rate. Fees are determined in part by the drugs and consumables used, but may be influenced by the amount of time spent on a case.
ESTIMATE OF TREATMENT COSTS
We are happy to provide oral or written estimates of treatment costs. Estimate are only a guide to likely costs as the course of a particular illness can be unpredictable or complicating factors may become evident midway into a treatment or investigation. We will endeavour, wherever practical, to advise you whenever costs are significantly higher than anticipated.
METHODS OF PAYMENT
- CASH
CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS – Mastercard, Visa, Visa Debit, American Express. - SETTLEMENT TERMS
1. Payment is due at time of treatment. That is as the end of the consultation, the discharge of your pet or upon collection of drugs, diets or consumables.
2. Accounts which are in arrears for one week will have a reminder sent with a £10 administration charge added. Should further reminders need to be sent, then further administration charges may be incurred. 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, including correspondence, phone calls and court fees.
3. Any cheque returned by our Bank as unpaid, any Credit Card payment not honoured and any cash tendered and later found to be counterfeit will result in the account being restored to the original sum. Further charges will be added in respect of bank charges and administration costs.
INABILITY TO PAY
If you unable to settle your account as specified above then please discuss this at the outset with a member of staff. Please note that part payments or instalment payments can only be sanctioned with the express permission of the Administration staff or the principle veterinary surgeon.
PET HEALTH INSURANCE
Braid Vets (VetPartners Ltd) strongly supports the principle of insuring your pet. However, please be aware that this insurance contract is between yourselves and the insurance provider and the surgery does not and cannot guarantee payments. It is your responsibility to settle your account with us and then reclaim the insured element from the insurance company.
OWNERSHIP OF RECORDS
Case records are the property of and will be retained by Braid Vets. Copies, with a summary of the history, will be passed on to another Veterinary Practice if taking over the case, also a copy of the clinical notes can be issued to the owner upon request. The care given to your animal may involve specific investigations such as radiography (x-rays), ultrasound, ECG’s etc. Even though we make a charge for these investigations and their interpretation, ownership of the resulting record, for example x-rays remains with the practice.
No addition or variation of these conditions will bind the practice unless agreed in writing, in advance and signed by the practice administration. No agent or employee has the authority to alter or vary these conditions.
