COVID-19 Protocols and Contingency Plans

Update* Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Ringneill Equine Clinic Protocols

Dear Clients

In view of government legislation that has been announced in the past few days, and in line with guidelines from The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) we have made the following changes to services available at Ringneill. As of Tuesday 24^th March, we have cancelled all routine appointments. Importantly, as an essential business, we will remain open for emergencies and urgent medical care.

OFFICE HOURS: The office will be working on reduced opening hours from 9am-1pm during which time telephone consultations can be booked and drugs can be collected. Appointments at the clinic will be discontinued until further notice. We ask that you do not turn up on an ad hoc basis as the yard is under stringent movement protocols at this time. Again, we ask that you remain in your vehicle on arrival and Jane will bring your items to you. All repeat prescriptions MUST be pre-ordered and prepaid prior to collection.

Please also respect the fact that the yard is a home as well as a business.

TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS: During this time you will undoubtedly need veterinary advice and as such we will be running a telephone consultation service. In unprecedented times this is a temporary measure taken by the RCVS to allow us to continue to dispense prescription only medication without physically examining the animal. Telephone consultations can be booked via the office between 9am-1pm Monday to Friday.

EMERGENCIES: As always we are here to help you!!! Please call on 02897228513 as we remain on standby to respond to emergency calls. We are happy to discuss individual cases as needed. If a visit to your yard is required, then we would prefer to work in isolation if the horse is quiet to handle. Should we require the horse to be handled then we ask that this be restricted to either the owner or an appointed individual.  Social distancing should be applied as best possible.

REPRODUCTIVE WORK: A question on many client’s minds will be the impact on the 2020 breeding season. On the basis of government advice from the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) “we are struggling to see how this type of service is essential”. As such we will not be scanning mares for the time being but is under constant review.

VACCINATIONS:  We are prepared for questions regarding vaccination policy and due dates that will undoubtedly fall into this time of quarantine. Following BEVA guidelines all influenza vaccinations will be halted for one month after which will be under review.

PAYMENT: Any outstanding invoices will be sent out imminently and payment terms have been updated to within 7 days of invoice date. Going forward we will require payment for any emergency call outs at the time of the visit and are unable to provide credit. As a small and independent practice we hope you understand and support the measures we are taking to ensure the practice can continue to provide our services in the future.

Naturally we would ask that anyone displaying symptoms or currently self- isolating do not attend the clinic or a field visit. A delegated individual should be chosen.

We would like to reassure you that we are here to care for your horses, our procedures are in place to protect the interest of our staff and you our valued clients. We are operating in ‘unique’ times and appreciate your co-operation and adherence to our revised protocols.

Should you have any questions or concerns, our team are on hand to support and advise you.

Stay safe everyone

Howard, Chris and Jane