Fees

Fee levels are determined by the procedure undertaken or the amount of time spent, plus laboratory investigations, drugs, materials, consumables used, and any administrative or specialist charges incurred. All fees, diet & drug charges are subject to VAT at the current rate. Details of our fees are available on request. A detailed invoice is available for every transaction. Fee estimates are available for any veterinary work we offer, but please bear in mind that any estimate given can only be approximate, as an animal’s treatment may need to reflect a change in that animal’s medical requirements, which cannot always be predetermined. We aim to keep our clients fully informed of any such changes, but in exceptional circumstances, treatment may be required before the owner can be informed. We will upon request be happy to provide a written estimate for non-in-patient based treatment. We provide our services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Out-of-hours fees are chargeable when a veterinary surgeon is called to attend to your animal(s) outside of our normal surgery hours, these start from £216.

Methods of payment

• Cash
• Cheque payable to Cheviot Vets Ltd – Post dated cheques are not accepted
• Credit/debit card - Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or Solo. Card payment by telephone is possible within surgery hours.
• BACS, internet banking and Standing Orders. Our bank details are Cheviot Vets Ltd, sort code 83-15-28, account number 00219639.

Insured Animals

Cheviot Vets Ltd strongly supports the principal of insuring your animal against unexpected illness or accident. If your animal is insured, we will complete the veterinary part of the insurance claim form, there will be a nominal charge for this. However, payment must be made in full at the time of treatment, it is the client’s responsibility to reclaim the costs from the insurance company. Please note that the insurance arrangements ultimately are a matter between our clients and their insurers. Clients always remain ultimately responsible for payment of our fees.

Settlement Terms small animal clients

Small animal invoices are due for settlement in full at the end of a consultation, on collection of your animal from the practice, or when collecting food or medication. If you animal needs tests performed at laboratories, these may be invoiced at a later date, they are due for payment upon receipt of the invoice. Invoices outstanding will be liable to a £10 surcharge. Any cheques returned as unpaid, or credit card payment not honoured, or cash found to be counterfeit will result in the client account being restored to its original sum.

Farm accounts(business)

Farm accounts are due for settlement within 30 days of the date of invoicing.

Equine accounts

Treatment not paid for at the time will be due for settlement within 30 days of the date of invoice. Invoices outstanding after 30 days will be liable to a surcharge of £10.

In all cases we are entitled to suspend the provision of any further goods and/or services until you have paid any outstanding sums in full. Where we consider it appropriate to do so we may require payment on account before goods and/or services are provided.

Written Prescriptions

Written prescriptions are available from this practice. You will be advised of the prescription charge when you contact the practice. Prescription charges are applied only when you request a prescription from us but go elsewhere to have the prescription filled. Animals requiring repeat prescriptions will need to be re-assessed periodically by the veterinary surgeon dealing with the case. The re-examination interval will vary between clinical cases. Please give us 24 hours’ notice for any requests for a repeat or written prescription. There is a charge for a re-examination, details of which will be provided on enquiry.

Unused Medication

We advise clients to return any unused or out of date medications to the practice for safe disposal. Sharps boxes are available for patients that are undergoing regular injections at home.

Referrals

We are a first opinion practice. For specialist procedures including, ophthalmology, advanced orthopaedics and soft tissue surgeries and advanced diagnostic imaging (CT/MRI) your vet may recommend referral. Clients are entitled to choose a referral hospital of their choice. Generally, for small animal and equine referrals we use the most convenient referral practice for the client, that has suitable availability.

Client records

Client and clinical records, and other such similar documents (including, but not limited to, digital imaging results), are and shall remain the property of Cheviot Vets Ltd. Copies of clinical records may be passed to another veterinary surgeon on request should you move surgeries on condition that the account is fully settled.
We never discuss or sell confidential records to any third party other than if you move surgeries or are referred to another veterinary surgeon.

Data Protection

When you register your animal(s) with our practice or request that we provide veterinary services we will collect personal data about you and, where relevant, your employees and/or agents. We will only collect data that we need to perform the services, take payment or contact you such as names, contact details and possibly some financial details. From time to time we may also use your contact details to provide you with information about new services or special offers offered by Cheviot Vets Ltd.

Hospitalisation of small animals

If small animals require hospitalisation, we can provide overnight care. Staff are not on-site but regular checks will be carried out throughout the night at the treating vets’ discretion. For animals requiring more intensive care your vet may recommend referral to hospital facilities.

Home Visits

In most cases your pet will receive better treatment if it is brought into the surgery where we have the equipment, facilities and staff necessary to treat them. However, there are some cases when it may be preferable to provide treatment at your home. We endeavour to come out to your home at your convenience, but we ask that you call the surgery as soon as possible so we can arrange this around other duties. There is an additional charge for home visit. You will be provided with an estimate of fees when calling to book a visit. Out-of-hours fees are chargeable when a veterinary surgeon is called to attend to your animal(s) outside of our normal surgery hours.

Complaints

We pride ourselves on offering a quality service and take customer complaints seriously. Should we not meet your expectations on any aspect of your service, please let us know at the time where possible. Alternatively, should you wish to raise a formal complaint, we ask that you contact the practice in writing within three months of the complaint event to the Practice Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The Directors will investigate your complaint.