New nurse-led pet health advice service

RE: New nurse-led pet health advice service

Dreamcatcher — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 16:22:32 GMT

Exactly! I don't think they would feel like they're getting their money's worth if they had someone like me on the phone telling them to see the vet and then it turns out to be minor.

I guess maybe for something like vomiting and diarrhoea if it sounded mild you might tell them to starve and then feed bland food? But even in those cases I at least offer them an appointment. I wouldn't feel comfortable not doing so.

RE: New nurse-led pet health advice service

molladog — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 14:33:13 GMT

How does any RVN helpline really work as we are not allowed to diagnose anything so I fail to see what use they are as all we will say is 'take to your vet' ?? Can anyone enlighten me as I can't see much value in them.

RE: New nurse-led pet health advice service

Dreamcatcher — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 14:16:05 GMT

Hmm...

My advice to people is almost always to offer them an appointment anyway- mostly because I'm paranoid that the innocuous 'she just seems a bit quiet' could well be something much more serious(like a pyo brewing) and I don't want it on my conscience if I've told them it doesn't need to see a vet and then later really deteriorates. I guess it could work for general advice on parasite control, raising a puppy etc but we wouldn't be allowed to prescribe anything (esp not over the phone) so would need to see a vet anyway!

If they're worried enough to call, they're worried enough to justify a visit to the vet!

RE: New nurse-led pet health advice service

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 08:50:35 GMT

[quote user="WelshyNurse"]I can't find anything they offer that speaking to your vets wouldn't offer for free anyway? [/quote]

Well, yes, precisely

As I say, I don't think this will catch on, but if it did, it's really just a question of making sure you communicate to clients that you offer that service free anyway.

RE: New nurse-led pet health advice service

WelshyNurse — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 08:40:38 GMT

"two out of every three cases we speak to don’t require an immediate trip to the vet. Simply calling our helpline could save you time"

"Just as importantly, our nurses can identify if a situation is more serious. In that case they will advise you to go to the vet as soon as possible, which could even save your pet’s life"

I can't find anything they offer that speaking to your vets wouldn't offer for free anyway?

RE: New nurse-led pet health advice service

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 08:00:24 GMT

[quote user="WelshyNurse"]I can't find the website? [/quote]

WelshyNurse - I wrote it in the news story, but didn't link to it because that gives it a push up the google listings. Here it is: https://pet-gp.co.uk (links in forums don't give so much of a push!).

RE: New nurse-led pet health advice service

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 07:48:41 GMT

[quote user="Deanna Hartley-Davis"]Is this not what some pet insurance companies are already offering - a nurse help line to get advice over the phone rather than go straight to your vet?[/quote]

Hi Deanna Hartley - Yes, I think the company behind this also does it for insurance companies.

The big difference is that this one costs the client £12.50 for an individual call, or £4.50pm for a subscription.

I tried a similar service once (whilst researching for a news story on here). I think back to the advice I was given, and I would have been perfectly happy if it was a free add on from an insurance company, but I certainly wouldn't have paid £12.50 or taken a subscription.

I don't much like the way the service is pitched to owners, Various reports say that the company behind it is not trying to stop owners going to see their VS when needed. But then they use those highly misleading figures (£300 saving) to persuade the owner to ring them and avoid a trip to the VS!

As I say, I really don't think this will translate successfully from a free add-on to an insurance policy to a paid service.

RE: New nurse-led pet health advice service

Deanna Hartley — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 21:59:07 GMT

Is this not what some pet insurance companies are already offering - a nurse help line to get advice over the phone rather than go straight to your vet?

RE: New nurse-led pet health advice service

WelshyNurse — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 21:29:44 GMT

I can't find the website?

I don't like the idea. As you say, we give general advice for free anyway. Anything other than the basic stuff, the animal should always be seen.