On call vet distance

Re: On call vet distance

Laura James — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:40:59 GMT

My practice has recently employed a vet who lives about an hour away and we have insisted that he stays in the building/within 5/10 mins of the practice until 11pm and if theres anything afterwards then we call him back out, but if theres a real emergency that cant wait then i call my back up vet out who all live within 20 mins of the practice

Re: On call vet distance

Nicola Smith — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:20:44 GMT

I think an hour is too far but there are many practices that have their on call provider that distnce away! I know my vet gets lots of calls from people who cant travel the distance to the provider. The prcatice I used to work at - a hospital liked vets to live within 20 mins but I did still have to wait one night with a choking dog for 40 mins - by time vet got there had alrday removed chew from throat and given o2.If I hadnt removed it would have died by time he got there

Re: On call vet distance

BengalcatRVN — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:08:21 GMT

My cat went to a vets once after hours, was chatting to her to find out after she'd sorted my cat she'd be off home again! She would come back a couple of times to make sure he was ok.

Was not happy, but had no choice at the time, I didn't drive. The next day my boss and I picked him up and took him back to my work, were there's a vet and nurse on site 24/7.
Guess I've just been spoilt over the years. I'm not happy with there not being a vet around, but understand some clinics don't have a choice due to lack of space. No one wants to sleep on a couch/floor/slleping bag

Re: On call vet distance

Viking Dog1 — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 09:22:27 GMT

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your replies, I am so glad that its not just me that doesnt like the vet being 1hour away, but it seems like I will just have to put up with it! I wouldnt like it as a owner either.

It makes me feel so sad though that something would change if an animal suffered for waiting this long, thankfully we dont get that many GDV, C sections etc, but we do get our fair share of RTAs, even with minor ailments our clients dont like to wait more than 30mins to see the vet.

Hopefully things will go smoothly on my weekends and leave the boss to sort out any messes, I have voiced my concerns to the boss and he has offered me to call him if I am concerned at any point! Lets see how it goes.

Thanks

Re: On call vet distance

Mrs Dot Dot — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:48:35 GMT

There are quite a few practices, especially the group practices that cover massive on-call areas and many times the vet is at least an hour away.... I wouldn't want my animals belonging to these practices... but it is all ok apparently.................................

Re: On call vet distance

Doolally — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:43:53 GMT

Oh and I forgot for safety reason we're not allowed to let anyone in until the vet is there....so no definitely not on!!(although if people ring the doorbell with a visibly ill pet I do let them in on my own!)

Re: On call vet distance

Doolally — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:41:59 GMT

Hmm...i'd not be happy with that. By the time you've called him, and he's got dressed/got his keys/got in the car unless he's super efficient you might be looking at 90mins+ until he's actually with you.

Our clients wouldn't be happy with that either, they sometimes moan if they turn up with an emergency and the vet takes 20mins to arrive. (if they call and it's not a life or death emergen cy i usually tell them to come for 30mins time to give the vet time to get there).

I guess if your work are ok with it, you'll just have to say to people who call its fine for them to come down and you'll triage the pet, but it'll take the vet an hour to get there. If people complain maybe your bosses will do something about it

Re: On call vet distance

Honeybadger — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:21:57 GMT

Personally I think an hour is too long. A GDV or RTA would not benefit waiting an hour to be seen. Although first aid can be given by the nurse it is not fair to expect them to have to let people into the premises by themselves. I used to do night duties where I would stay alone in the hospital. I hated letting people in when I was by myself.

Re: On call vet distance

Steph Worsley — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:56:54 GMT

we questioned this when it was millenium new years eve. i was working in blackpool at the time for a big company and head office spoke to rcvs and were told it was ok to use petmedics as it was an hours drive (from the surgery) to PM but anything further than that was a no no.

so technically that is a fine distance for your vet to live and be on call from home.

Re: On call vet distance

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:33:30 GMT

Would depend on the problem concerned and how busy you are. If you get a lot of fast deal with say gdv or status e. or caesareans etc then no, if it is just the odd patient in with say hge or cut foot not really a problem may not be ideal but live with able.

If you have a call about something you think needs a fast response then ring him up when you get your call and say get in here if he refuses till it arrives then l would say there is a problem.