Confidentiality..

Re: Confidentiality..

Wren — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:34:06 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

Farmers are bad for it, wanting to know where you've been and where you're going.

[/quote]

Generally they're waiting for you to say 'oh, I'm going to/coming from XX [the next village]'. Then when they get their bill they ring up and refuse to pay the visit charge/call out fee because the vet was in the next village anyway. Yorkshire, eh?

Re: Confidentiality..

Alet Engelbrecht — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:10:38 GMT

I have a genuine inability to remember people and their names. Not by choice, I have embarrassed myself often enough. Therefore, I have perfected the grunt. (I remember patients and cases better.)

What I find more difficult is when a client rush in with an animal wrapped in a blanket in their arms - rta/fitting/etc. Everyone in the waiting room sees what's happening and always want to know what the unfortunate story/outcome was when it is their turn. By that time, things are usually running behind because of the emergency. Similarly, when a client leaves the room in tears.

Re: Confidentiality..

Wren — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:37:37 GMT

I take a book to the hairdressers. I have to make enough small-talk at work.

Re: Confidentiality..

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:04:58 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

[quote user="CatherineThomas"]Is it a problem to agree that you have seen the animal?[/quote]

Of course not. There's nothing wrong with going along with things a bit, so long as you don't add in any new information.

[/quote]

Absolutely. We sometimes get visits and phone calls from people asking if their neighbour's/relative's/friend's pet is registered with us - there can be many and various reasons they want to know! In those cases we wouldn't be able to tell them anything at all.

Re: Confidentiality..

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:58:05 GMT

[quote user="CatherineThomas"]Is it a problem to agree that you have seen the animal?[/quote]

Of course not. There's nothing wrong with going along with things a bit, so long as you don't add in any new information.

Farmers are bad for it, wanting to know where you've been and where you're going.

Re: Confidentiality..

CatherineThomas — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:15:02 GMT

Is it a problem to agree that you have seen the animal? I thought it would be ok to say, oh yes I know "Fluffy" Brown, but you can't go into details about why you have seen him. Quite often clients will come in and say "oh you treat Rufus, my neighbour's dog don't you." And I'll say something along the lines of oh yes Rufus is a lovely dog.

Re: Confidentiality..

Dagmar Steele — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:44:03 GMT

lol! No pic, it's dead easy, just take the whole lot in one hand, take it to the front and have a go with the scissors. I have very curly hair, so it is not important to be very accurate.

Re: Confidentiality..

Tim Browning — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:37:00 GMT

Is it possible to cut your own hair? how do you do the back ? don't suppose you want to put a picture up ?!!

Re: Confidentiality..

Dagmar Steele — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:53:26 GMT

haven't been to the hairdressers in many years, have long hair that I cut myself... Nonetheless I do get into this situation occasionally.

The grunt is good but doesn't always work, if not I explain I cannot talk about other peoples pets as I wouldn't talk about theirs to someone else. After this explanation I only give friendly smiles if someone still persists.

Re: Confidentiality..

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:31:55 GMT

[quote user="bob lehner"]

Yep - me too - tho' not much to cut now. Haven't been to a hairdressers for about 15 years I guess.

Dangerous to discuss anything about your clients with a third-party.

[/quote]

I have cut Ian's hair since he was 18!!

I get that all the time.......you see my neighbours' cat.....how is Max? etc etc... I am also a fan of the grunt. Most people take the hint pretty quickly that you aren't going to discuss anything.

Re: Confidentiality..

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:27:05 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]At the moment the dog isn't critically ill, it is bright and eating, but I'm worried things might progress if she doesn't start sorting things out. She has admitted to a colleague that she has a drink problem, but I don't know if she is actively seeking help for this or just using it as an excuse. Would it be possible to speak to some sort of support service on her behalf to try and help her without breaking confidentiality?[/quote]

I think you can only approach this from an animal welfare perspective. If you have genuine concerns about the animal's welfare, you need to discuss this with the client and only if the client refuses to follow your advice then think about contacting other organisations. If, however, the animal's care is ok at the moment, even if not ideal, then I think there is little you should do really.

Re: Confidentiality..

An On MRCVS — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:12:10 GMT

I'm currently having a problem with confidentiality where I work - there is a client who has a problem with alcohol, always seems confused and it is impossible to get a history from her about her dog. I think partially there are behavioural issues involved with the animal, but also there is something wrong with it, as it is urinating in the house alot and does have a temperature. She cannot afford veterinary treatment, she keeps 'losing' paperwork for proof of benefits and despite the PDSA sending her a financial assistance form she doesn't seem to know anything about it.

At the moment the dog isn't critically ill, it is bright and eating, but I'm worried things might progress if she doesn't start sorting things out. She has admitted to a colleague that she has a drink problem, but I don't know if she is actively seeking help for this or just using it as an excuse. Would it be possible to speak to some sort of support service on her behalf to try and help her without breaking confidentiality?

Currently we are trying to get her to take the dog to a local RSPCA clinic, as she is out of the catchment area for the PDSA hospital near us. I feel bad fobbing her off, but the dog needs treatment and unfortunately where I work has quite a tight policy on payments and debtors etc.

Re: Confidentiality..

bob lehner — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:47:45 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Bought clippers from Tesco. Wife cuts my hair.[/quote]

Yep - me too - tho' not much to cut now. Haven't been to a hairdressers for about 15 years I guess.

Dangerous to discuss anything about your clients with a third-party.

Re: Confidentiality..

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:35:20 GMT

True, and when you have unexpected company, all you need to do is straighten your tie!

Re: Confidentiality..

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:52:00 GMT

Bought clippers from Tesco. Wife cuts my hair. I broke even on second haircut.

I don't have a hairstyle - saves all these issues

Re: Confidentiality..

Bob Russell — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:39:07 GMT

My hairdressers struggle to get a word out of me and have given up trying!

A few years ago a staff member received commiseration on losing her job as we were closing down. They even knew the date!!

Strangely we were too busy that day to close so we didn't!

Odd what you hear in the hairdressers!

Re: Confidentiality..

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:39:53 GMT

[quote user="Emily Herskind Nightingale"]I think I said the right thing, but would be interested to hear other's views.. Am sure Im not the only one who bumps into the "mutual client" thing... [/quote]

Try the non-committal grunt. It works for me.........