This information is correct at the time of publishing. Please be aware things may be subject to change at very short notice.
Latest update: 20-April-2020
As you are all aware the situation with dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is a fluid situation and we are constantly reviewing our working practices to enable us to carry on delivering service to your pets whilst protecting both our teams and you.
Further guidance has been released from RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons), BVA (British Veterinary Association) which offer ways that we will be able to offer some vaccinations providing social distancing is able to be adhered to. We are experiencing high call volumes for sick and emergency cases, social distancing and telemedicine increase the time everything takes, and we currently have a number of our team members off so we need to balance care of the ill patients with the other services we can offer. We are also aware of the high levels of COVID-19 in the midlands areas so we need to minimise the number of contact points to reduce potential spread.
The updated advice we have received in no way suggests that we return to ‘business as usual’ and we are looking at risk assessing vulnerable parts of the pet population first. As such we will initially be offering puppy and kitten vaccinations, unvaccinated adult cats and dogs and rabbit vaccinations. These will initially be offered at the following locations:
- Park Farm
- Stapenhill
- Langley Mill
- Shelton Lock
We will review the adult population and individual risk assessments in line with ongoing guidance once we have been able to achieve the above safely on reduced capacity.
In support of our NHS colleagues we are using our resources such as PPE and medical supplies very carefully so routine operations are still not being carried out. We will review that initially for cats, dogs and rabbit neutering’s where it is essential for population control in mixed sex households in the near future.
As with all cases at the minute we cannot offer our usual service levels and you will need to wait outside the practices with your pet. The individual practice procedures will be explained to you over the phone. Please ensure you bring your pet in a secure carrier as we will need to collect them from outside the practice.
Things are changing rapidly in this situation so if things deteriorate locally then human health must be prioritised and we may withdraw the service if advised to do so. Our NHS colleagues, carers and many others are fighting a difficult battle at this time and we are committed to supporting them in reducing the risks of COVID-19 spread. We thank you for your cooperation in advance and your support of our team in these difficult times.
Update – 27-March-2020
Following the government’s latest announcement, we have put further measures in place to help reduce the spread of the disease.
We will no longer be booking routine appointments at any of our practices.
We will continue to see ill and emergency patients only until further notice. Please be advised that clients will not be allowed in any of our practices for these appointments (further details below). This is for the safety of our teams, as well as our clients.
The following practices are temporarily closed:
- Hilton
- Mickleover
- Oakwood
- Alfreton
- Wollaton
Please visit one of the following practices if you have a pet emergency:
Please also be advised that our practice opening times may be subject to change at short notice. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for the latest information.
Booking An Appointment
Please call your local practice to book an appointment if your pet is ill, or you require emergency veterinary care.
Our client care team will also ask you questions about your health. If any of the following apply to you, please ask someone else (a friend or other family member that isn’t in the same household) to bring your pet to their appointment:
- You are showing symptoms of 37.8C or above or a cough
- You have been in contact with anyone showing the symptoms highlighted above
- You have recently travelled to a high-risk country
- You are in self-isolation or classed as a vulnerable individual
Arriving For Your Appointment & At Your Local Practice
We will no longer be allowing clients in to the building to protect the safety of our team. As such the following protocol has been put in place for ill pets and emergencies:
- All clients must wait in the car park at their local practice upon arrival for their appointment.
- On arrival, please call reception to let us know you have arrived (including proving us with details about your car).
- Either the vet or someone else from the practice will come and collect your pet from the car, and you will need to stay in your vehicle.
- Once in the consult room, our vet will then call you back to take history and further information.
- Your pet will then be examined by the vet and a treatment plan advised.
- A consent form will be brought to you to sign, allowing us to progress with the treatment plan.
- If your pet can be sent home the same day, payment will be taken over the phone and your pet will be brought back to your car along with any medication administered.
- If we keep your pet in the hospital, a deposit will be taken over the phone. Unfortunately, you will be unable to visit your pet throughout the duration of its stay.
- On collection of your pet, please call reception to announce your arrival and any further payment required will be taken over the phone.
- A vet or nurse will discharge your pet along with any medication to your car, and collect any insurance paperwork
Collecting Medication & Repeat Prescriptions
We will still be able to provide medication and repeat prescriptions (this includes flea & worming medication).
Please call the nearest practice to you that is open (see list above) in advance to request the medication you require (you may be asked to weigh your pet at home for flea & worming medication). Payment will be required to made with a card over the phone.
When you arrive to collect your medication, please adhere to the following guidance:
- Ring the practice to let them know you are here (they will ask for your pet’s details and information about the car you are in).
- Wait inside your vehicle whilst someone brings your pet’s medication to your car.
Protocols In Practice
We have a number of protocols in place in our practices to help protect our staff, clients and patients:
- In the interest of keeping our teams and clients safe we request that you do not bring your pet to the practice if you feel unwell. This includes a cough or cold.
- We will no longer be allowing clients in to any of our practices.
- We ask that you please make payments via card over the phone.
- We have robust internal procedures in place should a member of staff feel unwell or who are at risk of contracting COVID 19. This is to ensure the least risk possible for the spread of the virus.
Home Visits
We are no longer able to do home visits for pets with immediate effect. If you are unable to bring your pet to the practice yourself, we advise that get a friend or family member to bring your pet to the practice on your behalf.
Households Infected With Coronavirus With Pets That Require Veterinary Care
If your household is in self-isolation and your pet requires veterinary care please call your local practice to book an appointment.
To reduce the risk of spreading the infection to our staff and other clients, we ask that you arrange for an individual not in your household and not in self isolation themselves to bring your pet in to the practice.
They will then need to call the practice on arrival so that your pet can be examined in the car. Please note that the vet and nurse will be wearing personal protective equipment to carry out the examination of your pet as a precaution.
Group Classes
Dog training, puppy classes and agility are all also cancelled with immediate effect.
Pet Resort
Our pet resort at Pride Veterinary Centre is temporarily closed. This includes grooming, our pet hotels, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy.
Grooming has also been suspended at Allestree and Shelton Lock.
We appreciate your patience at this time and will keep you updated as the situation develops
