What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

mariette asselbergs — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 17:42:08 GMT

"Some people are just natural s***s. In your situation, I'd have got the debt collectors on to them sharpish: not in any expectation of getting paid, but just to hassle them." Evelyn

Honour to who deserves it: Our nurse spent an hour with them on the phone, ignoring insults and waffles, just repeating that they had to pay and did anybody in the family have a card, and not giving up until they were so tired that they paid up.

Next day they were all over the newspapers about the damage fireworks can do, but not a word about the vet.....!

Might have been worse.

Mariette

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Dagmar Steele — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:14:14 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

Another occasion I was called out by the RAF police as some idiot had taken his dog for a walk on a playing field next to the RAF station and it had got its foot stuck in a slide. It was an aggressive GSD that I had to give a shot of Domitor to get near but once partially sedated got its own foot out. The owner refused to pay so I sent the bill to the RAF as technically they had requested the call they were responsible. It seems they knew the owner so they sent some of 'the boys' round to his address and next day he paid up! Result!

[/quote]

Love this kind of story... Something like that happened to me when a young woman presented her dog for castration and two others for vaccination, she promised to pay when I take the stitches out but never returned. She was married to a turk with a very distinct name, I managed to find her father in law in the telephone directory so. Although the couple had already separated the turk family made sure that she paid immediately. It obviously was a question of honour :-D

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:56:10 GMT

Service members are the best bad debtors to have as the service won't tolerate them, it almost the same as a crime in their eyes and gives the service a bad reputation. I remember one police officer who didn't pay so I wrote to the Chief Constable and the bill was paid within days. Similar with an RAF officer who was posted to Cyprus and probably thought he was out of range. Oh no, I wrote to his commanding officer - same result.

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:30:16 GMT

You can only sue whoever requested the service. On 1 occasion the police called me out to PTS a traffic casualty that had a broken back. I billed the police - they gave me the name of the owner, I billed the owner - no reply. I sent a reminder - no reply. My solicitor wrote to the police - cheque by return!

Wynne

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:16:03 GMT

[quote user="mariette asselbergs"]I know I know, next time don't trust anybody, in tears or in a panic, just tell them you have to talk to the fire brigade themselves. [/quote]I've been to a couple of similar incidents. One was a house fire and the fire brigade called the RSPCA who called me. I actually arrived before the paramedic did for the human victims. The owner wasn't going to pay so the bill was sent to the RSPCA.

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Luca Poddighe — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:50:03 GMT

When I used to do the OOH in situation of homebound sick ladies I would still perform the home visit and usually present an invoice to the owner, explaining if I was on the impression there was ground for that, that I would try to be their advocate with the practice manager and reduce the fees if possible but that in the end of the day it wasn't my call.

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:39:11 GMT

Luca for next Secretary-General of the United Nations

Wynne

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Luca Poddighe — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:35:59 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]Well said, Micheal My fee would have been £194.64, so are you undercharging by £2.02, or am I overcharging by the same amount?[/quote]

Be good and let say that you both are mischarging of £1.01. How does it feel?

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Stephanie Wellings — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:34:26 GMT

A good idea I have heard is - book them a taxi to the practice and pay for it yourself on arrival, then you can do whatever needs doing at the practice (and if it transpires they were taking you for a ride then don't pay for the taxi home....) Yes we shouldn't have to, but I'd rather pay the taxi fare than have the stress of not being able to see the animal and worrying about what will happen.

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:55:45 GMT

Anthony I wouldn't dream of criticising you. As an employee the correct action isn't to think about fees, simply to do the work,and charge strictly by the book.

There's so many factors that employees don't know about that must be taken into consideration when setting fee levels - mine would probably be doubled if I was in Central London. That would be necessary in order to cover the cost of the premisis.

Wynne

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 23:24:12 GMT

[quote user="mariette asselbergs"]I went out (02.00 0'clock), find the address, all dark, no place to park, no firebrigade engine,[/quote]

These days, I'd just come home again at that point.

[quote user="mariette asselbergs"] First comment: "What took you so long".[/quote]

And I'd have turned round and walked out at that. If I were braver and much bigger, I'd have given them a "good talking to" first.

Some people are just natural s***s. In your situation, I'd have got the debt collectors on to them sharpish: not in any expectation of getting paid, but just to hassle them.

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

mariette asselbergs — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 22:19:22 GMT

In both the OOH services I work in we don't exclude home visits but try and offer every other option to bring the animal in. In each of them the visit at night would cost around £250 plus treatment. And basically we would limit them to animals that cannot be transported. In both services we are also lucky to have local vets who will do the odd PTS at home at night for £250 plus treatment.

I have no problem going (in the one OOH with the ambulance and the ACA, leaving the hospital with a nurse only), in the other i will go with my own car on my own.

Wynne, i am not scared of going.

But i have still been F**ed over.

The last time we got a call from people whose dog had gone missing during fire work time. They had been driving around looking for him, and then to their horror discovered that the dog was hiding next to the engine of the car under the bonnet and was trapped. After some panicky conversation they told us that the firebrigade was there but asked for a vet to sedate the dog.

I went out (02.00 0'clock), find the address, all dark, no place to park, no firebrigade engine, driving up and down, finally [parked just anywhere, found the house, rang the bell, people up and awake sitting in the living room with a lively, heal;thy, happy, unhurt dog on their lap. First comment: "What took you so long". I asked them what was the story, had the fire brigade been there, did they really ask for a vet. Got no straight answers and since I did have animals on drips back in the hospital i left as soon as ;possible. Oh, and they didn't want to pay because they didn't need me. Back in the hospital at 03,30.

Next day i checked with the fire brigade. They had been there, they removed the air filter of the car and the dog came out unhurt. They then said that it seemed a good idea to have the dog checked over by a vet.

I know I know, next time don't trust anybody, in tears or in a panic, just tell them you have to talk to the fire brigade themselves.

I do feel very sorry for the old disabled friendless ladies and their suffering pets, and will most probably err again in their favour, but both ways you get your surprises.

And please please please give me the phone number of the plumber who will come at midnight and charge £100. I don't believe that claim!!!

Mariette

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Virginia Campbell — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 19:46:06 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]I went out the other night to shoot a lovely young roe buck involved in an RTA. I won't get any money for that.[/quote]

I bet it was delicious though.

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Anthony Dennison — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 19:07:52 GMT

Just looked. Ours would come to £349 in total. However, we have branches up to an hour away at the most from the main hospital, and often it is the more remote clients that request home visits, so there is a lot of travelling involved.

I am just an employee, I don't set the prices (before Wynne starts telling me how awful I am).

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:57:23 GMT

Well said, Micheal My fee would have been £194.64, so are you undercharging by £2.02, or am I overcharging by the same amount?

Wynne

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:35:44 GMT

Just had a look - £160.52 +VAT (£192.62) for middle of the night visit, euth and routine crem.

I'm quite happy that the fee reflects the work and inconvenience, but is 'fair' to the client.

I don't buy the fact you can never leave an OOH centre. I don't buy the fact you can't do this alone with safeguarding (phone someone O/A and when done). I would stand by any vet refusing on reasonable grounds (dodgy area, drunk etc), but not because because something 'might' come in or because they don't want to and are making excuses.

As either an assistant or the boss - money doesn't come into this. You simply CANNOT refuse even if they haven't a penny to their name. If they can't get the animal to you and it is suffering, then you go to the animal. I went out the other night to shoot a lovely young roe buck involved in an RTA. I won't get any money for that.

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:19:20 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]3. Call boss at 3am and ask what to do?[/quote]Now if they have outrageous charges and a restrictive protocol on house calls then that would be number one choice. The ball would then be in their court and if they wouldn't sanction a compromise situation I would make it very clear that it was their decision and advise the client that it was the boss' decision and to report him to the RCVS if they wish to make a complaint. Now this of course all depends: a) on getting hold of the boss in the first place at 3 am which is probably less likely than porcine aviation; b) assumes the boss is a vet even if the piggies do take off and c) whether you value your job! Otherwise the only choice you realistically have is #1.

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]Having 4 members of staff on duty OOH to cover for the occasional home visit request, would not be possible economically I would have thought, and may even make OOH clinics non viable.[/quote] You're right: they make make a bit less profit and have to buy a Skoda instead of a Porsche!

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Neil Wheadon — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:15:46 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]

This OOH clinic has a policy of not leaving the building unattended and always having 2 staff members on site, therefore additional staff have to be brought in to cover and have to be paid, but I'm guessing it is nowhere near £600. Difficult one.

[/quote]I wonder how much Chikosi quoted for his famous visit and how the client would have reacted if it had been £600!

I also wonder how much in real terms is cost the NHS to send out an emergency doctor.

[/quote]

OK I don't work for Vets Now any more but let's have a look at that figure.

Practices expect a vet on site if they are using an OOH provider. Imagine the reaction if all they did was do house visits at £150 a go and weren't at the surgery for your clients emergencies?

Of the £600 , at least £200 is to get another vet in, that reduces it to £400. Due to the risks of lone working and safety vets are requested to use a taxi, that's at least £50, so we're getting closer to £350, which isn't a small amount But more reasonable.

Solution

Vets Now have repeatedly asked practices who use their services to lend a helping hand and many don't. it would be really easy if every practice provided a vet maybe once a month to cover OOH euthanasias. Some practices do and request that they are called, so maybe Martin you could call your local Vets Now and offer this. The above analogy doesn't apply, as you don't leave a hospital empty do you and I know doctors doing OOH ambulatory visits with a driver for £800 for a 9 hour shift, nice work if you can get it.

Neil

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:49:29 GMT

The real problem are the ones who already have one County Court judgement - because there's nothing else left to threaten them with

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:42:23 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

I'd go, that's what would be best for the animal, but I would leave the owner in no doubt that my favour was to the animal, not to them, and that they would be legally liable for the bill, and could acquire a Small Claims Court judgement if they didn't pay - even if it had to be by installments

Wynne

[/quote]

Give 'em a good talking to, eh?

The thing is, the feckless, the chancers and the cheaters wouldn't give a fig for your threats, while the elderly disabled housebound lady we are discussing would worry herself sick.

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:03:20 GMT

Wynne

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Clive Ansell — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:56:22 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

Clive I 5* your 1st posting, as I 100% agree with you on going out immediately (if necessary) and sorting fall-out later. I can't agree on charging less, for 2 reasons:

1) employees don't know the overheads, although I still think £600 way OTT

and 2) there could be nasty legal repercussions on the employees.

Wynne

[/quote]

Fair enough, but, what would you have me do in the heat of the moment?

Client calls 3am, animal in status epileticus and elderly house bound owner with limited funds. I make the professional decision that a home visit is required and the standard price is £600. Client cannot or will not pay.

options;

1. Go, but state fee may still be payable and let bosses sort out later?

2. Go, but only if paid?

3. Call boss at 3am and ask what to do?

4. Agree to go at reduced costs or FOC.

5. Don't go, even though I feel professionally obligated too.

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Braden Collins — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:44:14 GMT

Our house call fee is $75, so around 40 pounds. We don't do house calls OOH, and it is practice policy. That being said, in a case like this I would allow the vets to use their discretion and breach the policy. They would have to justify it to me though come monday morning, which they could obviously do in this case.

For euthanasia during normal hours, we don't charge a house call fee if they are regular clients and live close to town. To me it's all part of making sure their last dealings with us are good so they are happy to come back to us.

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:37:02 GMT

Clive I 5* your 1st posting, as I 100% agree with you on going out immediately (if necessary) and sorting fall-out later. I can't agree on charging less, for 2 reasons:

1) employees don't know the overheads, although I still think £600 way OTT

and 2) there could be nasty legal repercussions on the employees.

Wynne

RE: What's the going rate for a home visit these days?

Clive Ansell — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:32:09 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]PS to my previous post: It sounds as though they need to sort out their staffing levels to cope with such a scenario.[/quote]

Having 4 members of staff on duty OOH to cover for the occasional home visit request, would not be possible economically I would have thought, and may even make OOH clinics non viable.