out of hours vet

TAKE_THAT_FAN42

last January I rang my normal vetinary practice as it was 22.00 at night I was told too ring another number witch I did and again I was told too ring another number witch I did and I asked if the vet could come out as my cat was having trouble breathing and I was refused all I was asked is she insured and at the time I thought she was and I was sent too a place called chester gates referral hospital near Cheshire oaks even when I told the person that I am disabled and rely on an electric wheelchair too get around I was still refused and I told the person on the phone that I wasn't dressed and I had taken all my medication that made no difference either so I had too throw some clothes on and put her in the carrier and ring for a taxi driver I asked the person on the phone if I needed too ring and let chester gates no I was going and she said no she would do that and yet when I got their I must have spent over 5 minutes trying too get in because they wernt expecting me as they hadn't rang them and told them that I was going over and when I did eventually get in they said we normally charge over one hundred pounds before we look at the animal well I said sorry I haven't got it as I wasn't told and I have only got my taxi fare home and while she was their they drained fluid off her chest I am not complaining about her treatment its the practice that sent me too chester gates shortly after I sent a letter too them complaining and it was just dismissed and in that time I sadly lost her it didn't matter what treatment I tried nothing worked so I had too have her put too sleep with heart failiure she had never been sick in her life after their letter dismissing I did nothing as I was grieving and then anger took over that they should not treat a disabled person that way especially when it was their first time of ringing a vet out of hours so I decided too take them too the small claims and the lies they have come out with is stupid first is the vet nurse offered too come and pick her up in a taxi no offer made as I would have accepted it second is I was offered too go too their practice in west Kirby again no offer and also the reason I was sent too chester gates is their not a out of hours practice and aparantly she told me again didn't I live on the Wirral so west Kirby isn't that far for me so why would I go all the way out too near Cheshire oaks if I had the option too go their I had never heard of chester gates I didn't even no it existed until that night so they have got a solicitor and I think I need one myself as we are going too hearing I haven't got a date yet but it will be soon and what are the things I can claim for.

Somerset

What are you suing them for ? You made no mention of paying for the emergency treatment which would be chester oaks (vet - you said you were satisfied with it anyway. So you are suing vet A (normal vet) for what ? Disinterest and taxi fares ?

GwylimT

Firstly you need to use paragraphs and general punctuation.

Secondly what do you believe the problem to be?

What resolution do you think is suitable.

heartbreak_star

I confess to be confused. From what I can gather, it's standard out-of-hours practise to have to take the animal to the emergency vet (what happens if they're out with you and another emergency comes in?) and pay a fairly hefty deposit.

When you say you "thought" your cat was insured...was she or wasn't she?

Also...how can you prove the first vets are lying? Awful as it may sounds, are you sure you didn't mishear anything on the phone? I have done when I've been panicking.

I'm really sorry you lost your cat always an awful thing to happen.

HBS x

McKneff

I got through 2 lines and gave up.

Rambosmum

Firstly, sorry you lost your cat, I have three and know how horrible it is.

So let me get this straight:
- Cat was sick so you called your vet.
- Vet was shut so they directed you to an out of hours service (OOH), which took quite a bit to get hold of.
- You wanted the out of hours service to do a home visit, but they refused.
- You managed to get yourself and the cat to the OOH service but didn't take any money/ debit/ credit card with you.
- OOH treated your cat, which you were happy with.

So:
- You are unhappy that a) the first vets (vet a) directed you to the out of hours service, b) vet a didn't tell you about OOH charging policy c) that vet a didn't tell OOH you were coming and d) that you were charged for OOH care.

Firstly, as the owner of the cat it is your responsibility to ask about charging information, it did not need to be given by Vet a - vet a and OOH service operate separately and charge separately, it is up to OOH to tell you about their charging policy.

It was not up to vet a to tell OOH you were coming - you should have done that yourself.

Most OOH services have a out of hours fee, which is not paid by insurance and which is usually pretty extortionate, they tell you this when you call to put people off who could actually wait until the next working day.

You should have known you would be charged for service, even if you have insurance - you should have taken a method of payment with you.

Most OOH services have a locked door policy at night - to prevent people raiding them for drugs and money etc or endangering the animals.

You were treated as everyone else would have been treated - what you experienced does not sound discriminatory based on your disability.

I don't really know what you want to sue for. Vet a did what they should do, directed you to OOH services, what happened after that is kind of up to you, it isn't a public service.

paddypaws101

I am sorry you lost your cat, it is always a painful loss.
As to what you can claim for in the small claims court? Absolutely nothing. I am afraid you are wasting your time and your court fee and will only end up even more upset by the whole episode.
Neither your own vet or the OOH service has done anything wrong....and in fact they were incredibly generous to treat your cat even though you had brought no means of payment.