Dear Farmers and Equine clients
So that we can continue to provide a service for you, your livestock and other animals, we would be grateful if you could follow these guidelines. Our aim is to keep our staff and clients safe during these difficult times
 

• Booking calls - Please contact us on 01559 363318 as usual to book routine and emergency visits (we may advise against some routine visits). You may be asked questions about whether you are self-isolating or if you have any health concerns
• Self-isolating - if you are self-isolating, please advise our staff and ensure that if a visit is arranged someone else can meet the vet and attend your animals. It may be possible with prior arrangement that vets can bring an assistant to hold horses etc if you cannot be present.
• Biosecurity - Our vets will ensure they maintain a high level of biosecurity by wearing protective clothing and disinfecting before and after each visit.  We would appreciate your doing the same and providing warm water if required by the vet.
• Keep your distance - It is good practice to maintain a distance of 2 metres where practical – please don’t take offence but observe this if you can
• Telephone us first - Please do NOT just call down to the practice to collect medicines or to speak to a vet.  Telephone us first and we will get someone to call you if you need advice. 
• Drug orders – we are already experiencing shortages of some medicines and due to staff shortages at wholesalers our deliveries may now be on alternate days instead of daily. Please try to plan in advance where you can and allow time for deliveries.  Reception will advise you as best they can whether items are in stock or when they should be delivered.
• Medicines -If you need medicines than we can arrange for them to be put out in the metal box outside the practice for collection.  Or we can bring them to you if you have a call booked. You will be advised of the code for the lock by reception.
• TB tests – A TB test will continue unless the farmer or your assigned vet develop a fever, cold or flu like symptoms, in that case the test will be postponed. You should alert us asap if anyone on the farm also starts showing symptoms between the two test days as this will also result in test postponement. Anyone showing symptoms must self-isolate for 7 days, as well as the rest of the household. In that instance they should self-isolate for 7 days from onset of signs.  As should the entire household.  If these symptoms apply to the farmer or a member of his/her family, then the test should be postponed
• Payments - Payments can be taken over the phone for prescriptions, drugs orders and accounts. Bank transfer for account payment is also accepted. Handling of cash and cheques must be avoided to minimise risks to yourself and to members of staff.