Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

Re: Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

beldather — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:05:35 GMT

Interesting, my last practice in UK we charged £130 for call out fee. But then there was very little competition from other practices as they all referred to a not so nearby OOH clinic which charged £90.
I'd have to say I was surprised that the OOH clinic would charge less then us, as they provided a much superior service then us. (I worked at both places).

In Australia the basic call out fee for most places would be £60-120 (equivalent) but then as an associate we get 50% of the professional fee generated per call out so does need to be higher to support this.

Regards

Blair

Re: Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

Hanna Bennett — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:50:35 GMT

[quote user="Jacquin Mitchell"]

I was under the impression that a dedicated OOH service would charge less than a practice with a vet 'on call' but it seems not.

Jacq

[/quote]

When a certain out of hours clinic opened up near us, their charge to be seen on a Saturday afternoon was triple ours... We increased ours to what we felt was sensible (£50 for weekend daytime) and introduced an emergency registration fee for clients who were either registered with a vets that used the out of hours provider, or not registered anywhere, and still we were cheaper!

Re: Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

Clive Ansell — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:45:00 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]

[quote user="Jacquin Mitchell"]Okay, Arlo has obviously seen this thread and not said anything so I'm assuming it's okay to discuss fees.[/quote]

I seem to remember someone at the RCVS telling me it's not OK to discuss fees in a way that might be considered to lead to price fixing - i.e. everyone comparing notes and agreeing to charge 'x' for a procedure. I don't think that would apply to a discussion about what you've been charged for emergency care. But I'm not absolutely certain. I'll check.

[/quote]

I rarely do on call work, but when I do I always quote an OOH fee.

OOH fees need to be discussed before agreeing to see a client, otherwise as no contract is place, they could turn round and say they "are not paying because we didn't realise it would be so expensive"

We are not supposed to use price as a means of putting people off being seen OOH, but in reality it often does.

Re: Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:49:51 GMT

I would charge £80 + VAT for initial OOH consult, more for treatment or if I need to get a nurse out They are paid a call out fee, then overtime at 1.5 x normal rates (and don't forget employers NI ) If I have to spend any length of time, eg stay up most of night, I charge £50 +Vat per hour

Wynne

Re: Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:36:59 GMT

[quote user="Jacquin Mitchell"]Okay, Arlo has obviously seen this thread and not said anything so I'm assuming it's okay to discuss fees.[/quote]

Re: Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

Jacquin Mitchell — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:17:35 GMT

Okay, Arlo has obviously seen this thread and not said anything so I'm assuming it's okay to discuss fees.

Anyhow I was expecting to be charged around the £100 mark. I was informed on the phone that the cost would be £165. I was pretty surprised but I had a dog with spinal injuries so I wasn't going to quibble. I knew we'd end up being referred- as we were. This isn't a complaint- I'm just expressing my surprise.

I was under the impression that a dedicated OOH service would charge less than a practice with a vet 'on call' but it seems not.

Jacq

Re: Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

sarah mason — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:13:26 GMT

I sometimes do shifts at an ooh clinic in NW. £70 or so for a consult before 11 pm and about £90 after I think which is not too bad.

Re: Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

Clive Ansell — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:51:48 GMT

I occasionally work in OOH's clinics, and prices are usually around £80 - £90 before 10 or 11pm, and around £100 - £110 after, plus any treatment. That includes an OOH fee and the consultation. (Boxing day last year I clipped a cockatiels nails for £121! £110 for an "emergency" ooh consult and £11 for the nail clip - amazing, owners demanded it was done on Boxing day!)

Those prices are reasonably, and in fact I feel they could be increased. Running an OOH clinic is expensive; One I have worked in had 3 full time vets to cover all the night and weekend hours, and they used locums to cover holidays etc, plus 2 full time and 3 part time VN's, plus 2 receptionists. Then factor in the fact that they have no routine work such as neutering or vaccinations, and no counter sales of antiparasitics or diets. some nights you may see no clients, so it is easy to see how much it costs.

Re: Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

Hanna Bennett — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:38:57 GMT

our call out fee between 10pm- 8am is £80, and there is a normal consultation fee on top of that. Not really too much to get me out of bed i don't think.

Re: Are we allowed to discuss after hours costs on here?

Roberta Prina — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:17:46 GMT

The emergency centre in my area (in Essex, near London) charge about £90 for a consultation. They cover for several clinics in this area and employ a vet that spend the night in the practice