Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

John Rimmer — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:54:11 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]What are they going to do, vaccinate the cat against atopy? [/quote] Well I think you can do that can't you?

[/quote]

Erm, no, you can't, as atopy isn't an infectious disease.

You can give immunotherapy - maybe that is why you are confused Mr Atkinson?

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

Niall Taylor — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:37:13 GMT

[quote user="peewit"] I usually give them a months grace then only dispense a weeks worth [/quote]

I know, it's absolutely shocking - "months" should have an apostrophe - it's "MONTH'S" for heaven's sake!!!

Niall

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

James Allsop — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:48:34 GMT

I did smile a little when a client came back to my practice after trying the local corporate. They wanted an annual health check as they didnt trust the other vet to do so competently and not to oversell additional services. They didnt need a vaccine though as they had paid for their 'vaccine for life' last year so would continue to have a health check with us then take the cat to the other practice for the free vaccine.

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:57:32 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]What are they going to do, vaccinate the cat against atopy? [/quote] Well I think you can do that can't you? Cost 'em more than a few preds though. They call themselves the Pet Vaccination Centre because they build up their client base on cheap vaccines and neutering (sound familiar - although they do charge a nominal consultation fee). Trouble is a certain set of clients think its alright to go there for cheap vaccines but then come back to me for non-routine procedures which haven't been bumped up to subsidise the loss leaders which.to put it mildly. is irritating. This lot have yet to find out and they won't be welcomed back by me if they choose to. I feel I should charge a re-registration fee on which may be refundable after at least 12 months and one booster.

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:25:37 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"] appointment made for following Saturday, enough tablets for a week dispensed, DNA for appointment, 3 days later call from Pet Vaccination Centre requesting history, cat going there[/quote]

What are they going to do, vaccinate the cat against atopy?

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

Alet Engelbrecht — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:25:00 GMT

We normally give the owner a pre-printed note with the requested drugs in the month before the prescription check is due saying something like:

"Dear ....(Mr & Mrs Smith)..... ...(Fluffy)... is due for his/her repeat prescription check, which may include ...(blood test/urine test/BP measurement/etc)... Please note that we are unable to dispense more medication if we do not see ..(Fluffy).. during the next month."

I also try to get the reception staff to emphasise this when the client orders and collects the medications, but this does not always get done when it is busy. With difficult clients, I would often ring them myself - which unfortunately does not lead to great job satisfaction!

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]"so you're just going to let him suffer/die then are you?"[/quote]

I also recently had to speak to an irate owner that requested ear drops for his aggressive large breed dog, although we have never even seen this animal. When I explained politely that it is a prescription drug and I would need to assess the problem in order to prescribe to correct medication, he shouted over me about how I don't care for his dog's suffering. I don't see how else to handle these cases. I can't get RSPCA involvement as I don't even know the name of the person, but why do I always end up feeling bad?

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:48:26 GMT

[quote user="Utlendigur"]I hate it when the client then starts trying to blame the vet - the old "so you're just going to let him suffer/die then are you?" [/quote] And you haven't even mentioned the, 'you only want him to come in to make some money', routine. We had one who came in 2 weeks ago: they have a cat on long term preds for atopic dermatitis (before anyone gets sarcastic about my policy on steroids this cat had been through a full diagnostic work up to come to this conclusion). Saturday morning, run out of tablets, over 3 months since last seen, cant get the cat down but can come in to collect tabs!, promise to come in next week, appointment made for following Saturday, enough tablets for a week dispensed, DNA for appointment, 3 days later call from Pet Vaccination Centre requesting history, cat going there. Was I surprised, hardly, especially as they'd already taken the dog there for its annual booster. Thinks: must call myself a Trust and not charge them anything, see them any time of day, 7 days a week, then they won't have any excuse.

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:37:00 GMT

Give 1 days medication plus prescription charge and the next day another days medication plus prescription charge and on Friday warn them that if the animalisn't presented on Saturday-there will be an OOH charge as well They're only doing it because they're too mean to pay a consult fee, so just make doing the right thing the cheapest option

Wynne

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

kirsty — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:29:20 GMT

Well ---if you are really lucky a neighbouring practics may offer first consults for new clients and free second opinions ----- great way of clearing out persistent problem clients as they all run off for their free prescription check .

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

James Laidlaw — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:44:49 GMT

Maybe a months grace is too long? Give them enough to make an appointment within a week and no more. People don't cancel appointments then! Well, some do but then you can suggest they go elsewhere if they don't want to follow your recommendations...

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

Utlendigur — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:18:42 GMT

[quote user="peewit"]At what point do you draw the line with these people.... I usually give them a months grace then only dispense a weeks worth until they come in but how the hell do you deal with the persistent meds review dodgers....[/quote]

Pretty much the same, although some get up to 3mnths grace with gradually declining amounts of meds dispensed. I hate it when the client then starts trying to blame the vet - the old "so you're just going to let him suffer/die then are you?" After >20yrs I'm gradually starting to realise that it is the client's responsibility to bring the pet in, and mine to manage the case appropriately including rechecks as required. If the client won't cooperate, that's their choice. (At least that's what I keep trying to tell myself ... then worry because they don't come in)

Re: Excuses,,, excuses,,, excuses

Nicola Lawlor — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:05:12 GMT

You dispense another week of meds and a written warning that persistent failure to abide by practice rules will result in a prescription surcharge in the future of £ name your price on each occasion the rules have not been adhered to. Once it becomes financially sensible to follow the rules they will comply.