Q: Which practices
subscribe to P.E.T.S?
A:We provide emergency cover for 14 Practices within the area. They are:
 |
Abbotsley Vet Centre | |
North Kent Veterinary Medical Centre |
|
Alphapet Veterinary Centre | |
Pinebank Veterinary Surgery |
|
College Veterinary Surgery | |
PJ Flower and Associates |
|
Coxheath Veterinary Surgery | |
Sandhole/Medway
City Veterinary Centres Stanhope Veterinary Centre |
|
Fern Cottage | ||
|
Manor Veterinary Centre | |
Toachim House - Faversham |
|
Margetts and Associates | |
Warren House Veterinary Group |
|
Margetts and Luck | |
And of course Newnham Court Veterinary Hospital. |
|
Mote Park Veterinary Surgery |
Q: Who keeps P.E.T.S
running?
A: During the unsociable hours of the night, there are people working
to look after your pets and ensure they receive the best possible care.
We are not an agency employing poorly trained staff merely to provide
cover - we take our emergency work very seriously and strive to provide
the best possible care for your pet.
The heroes and heroines of the nights are vets Jim, Megan and Nicky and veterinary nurses Heidi, Kerry and Neil. Our veterinary surgeons and nurses all have a particular interest in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care.
During the week-ends and at peak times, the number of vets and nurses are boosted by regular locum staff.
Q: How do I contact
the Emergency Centre?
A: Simply telephone your usual vet. After routine surgery hours, you may
be transferred directly to the Emergency Centre, or an answer phone will
give you a number to call.
Q: Can I ring for advice?
A: Certainly. The veterinary staff on call are qualified to give advice.
If in doubt, they will ask the duty vet.
Q: What do I do if
my pet needs to be seen?
A: Telephone the emergency centre to say that you are coming, then transport
your pet to the P.E.T.S. centre. The staff will be waiting to receive
your pet and administer any necessary treatment. If you arrive without
contacting us telephonically, the staff will not be able to admit you.
Q: How do I get to
the P.E.T.S. Centre?
A:The centre is located adjacent to Junction 7 of the M20 motorway to
facilitate convenient access from a wide area. (Click here
for map and directions.) It has good car parking facilities and is signposted
prominently.
Q: What if I don't
have transport?
A: We are able to offer an ambulance service to transfer your animal from your home to the Practice and back again. We employ two ambulance drivers; Stuart and Zoren who are always on hand to help. They are not medically trained but are experienced in animal handling and transportation. Our staff are able to arrange for the ambulance to come out to collect your animal should you require this service. There is obviously an additional charge for this service, depending on the distance travelled.(Click here for fees.)
Q: What if I am unable
to move my pet?
A: P.E.T.S. operates just like a human casualty unit - all the necessary
life saving facilities are located there, and, just as human emergencies
are transported to the casualty unit, so must pets be taken to P.E.T.S.
Very little useful treatment can be carried out elsewhere. The staff at
P.E.T.S. will give advice on how to move injured pets.
Q: Will I need to leave
my pet?
A: The staff at P.E.T.S. will assess your animal and administer the
appropriate treatment. If the condition is serious then your animal will
be admitted for immediate treatment, and you may need to leave your animal
overnight at the practice.
Q: When my pet has
recovered, can I take him/her back to my usual vet?
A: Of course. Once the emergency is treated and the patient stabilised,
we contact your usual veterinary surgeon. We routinely fax all the necessary
treatment and laboratory records to your usual practice to allow them
to continue with any further treatment if required. If the patient has
been left at the centre, it will be returned to your usual veterinary
centre as soon as possible during normal hours.
Q: What if my pet
is already receiving treatment? Will P.E.T.S. Have access to his/her records?
A: Again, just with you or I, the majority of emergencies, such as road
traffic accidents, do not require case records. If your pet is receiving
medication, the P.E.T.S. staff will probably ask you to bring it with
you.
Q: How much does it
cost?
A: Payment will be required at the time you collect your animal as payment
is made to P.E.T.S. and not to your usual Practice. For a price list see
here. Cash, Cheques, Credit cards and Debit cards
are acceptable. Pet insurance covers these fees.
Q: Can anyone use
P.E.T.S?
A: No, only clients of participating practices may
use the centre, since they are the ones funding it. Non-participating
veterinary surgeons must provide their own cover. If a client of a non-subscribing
practice cannot contact their own vet, P.E.T.S will see the patient after
verifying that their own vet is unavailable.
Q: If I am a client
of another participating practice, do I bring emergencies or routine checkups
to Newnham Court Veterinary Group during the day?
A: No. P.E.T.S. is for out of hours treatment only. For emergencies during
the day, or for routine checkups, see your usual veterinary surgeon.
Q: What are the opening
hours of P.E.T.S?
A: The Emergency Centre is open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. weekdays, Saturday
afternoons from 12 noon, and all day Sunday and Bank Holidays.
Q: What do I do if
I find a wildlife casualty or an injured stray dog or cat?
A: Telephone the RSPCA emergency control 0870 5555999,
and their operators will instruct you.They may give you a log number and
instruct you to contact the Emergency Centre directly. DO NOT arrive
unannounced as our staff have been instructed never to allow anyone access
unless there has been prior telephonic arrangement. This is for the protection of our staff
Q: Who do I contact
if I am unhappy with the service or if I require more information?
A: For accounts queries contact the Accounts department during office hours on 01622
632841
For all other queries, comments and complaints
please telephone the P.E.T.S. Adminstrator, Maralyn Hawkins, on 01622
632851.
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Last updated on 12/09/04
Pet Emergency Treatment Services Limited
Newnham Court Veterinary Group,
Bearstead Road, Weavering, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 5EL
Telephone: 01622 734555 Facsimile: 01622 736512
Company Number 3586933
Directors: N.L. Davies, M.C. Smith, M.W. Fosbery, J.H. Kenward and P.A.
Brown
Website designed and created by M.H and N.L Davies
