Terms and Conditions
The following details our practice Terms and Conditions. Some aspects of the Terms may not be relevant to you and we request that you ask for further explanation and clarification if required. These conditions shall apply to all matters that we handle on your behalf and to the exclusion of any other conditions. By allowing us to continue looking after your horse, you are deemed to accept these conditions. “Inform” means we will inform you in writing.
1. FEES
All our fees and medical charges are subject to VAT at the current rate. Our fee levels are determined by the time spent on a case and according to the medicines, materials, and consumables used. A written estimate is available on request. You will receive a detailed fee note for every consultation, surgical procedure or transaction with us.
2. EMERGENCY SERVICE
Bell Equine provides a 24 hour veterinary service. Horses, ponies and donkeys will only be seen out of hours after prior arrangement with the duty veterinary surgeon by phone. The duty veterinary surgeon can be contacted by ringing our pager service on 08448 222 888 and leaving a message for the pager call sign BELL TEN.
3. METHODS OF PAYMENT and SETTLEMENT TERMS
Any new client will be expected to pay in full at the time of treatment.
We offer a 10% discount for immediate payment at the time of service for all clients.
Alternatively a 5% discount is available if payment is received within 14 days of receiving an invoice.
All outstanding accounts must be settled within 30 days of receiving an invoice.
Treatment on account will only be available to established clients known to the Practice and with a sound credit history.
All hospital cases are asked to pay at collection unless other arrangements have been agreed with the partner in charge of the case. If your horse is admitted to hospital you may be asked to pay a deposit towards treatment within 24 hours of arrival.
You may settle your account using: CASH, CHEQUE with current banker’s card. CREDIT/DEBIT CARD (Switch, Solo, Mastercard, Visa & Delta -we do not accept American Express.) Payments by credit or debit card may be made by phone.
Failure to pay the outstanding balance within 60 days of any treatment will result in referral to our debt collection agency. Further charges will be levied in respect of costs incurred in collecting the debt.
4. ESTIMATES OF TREATMENT COSTS
We will happily provide a written estimate (not a quotation) as to the probable cost of a course of treatment. Please bear in mind that any estimate given can only be approximate; often a horse’s illness will not follow a predictable or standard course.
5. INABILITY TO PAY
If for any reason you are unable to settle your account as specified we ask that you discuss the matter as soon as possible with a member of staff. Please note that instalments or part-payments of any account may only be sanctioned with the express permission of the Partners.
6. TERMINATION OF SERVICE
You may ask us to stop caring for your horse, pony or donkey at any time.
We may stop looking after your animals if you do not accept our advice; or fail to settle your account on time; or if we are prohibited by law from doing any further work on your matter; or if the relationship between you and us sadly breaks down; or if we no longer have the expertise.
We will then invoice you for any work already done. We reserve the right to hold your horse’s records until all invoices and expenses on your matter have been paid.
7. HORSE HEALTH INSURANCE
Bell Equine strongly supports the principle of insuring your horse against unexpected illness or accidents although we cannot give any recommendations regarding individual insurance companies. Please be aware that it is your responsibility to settle your account in accordance with these terms and then reclaim the fees from your insurance company. Insurance companies will often assume that this has been done and will deduct the 5% prompt payment discount accordingly. It is possible to arrange for payment to be made direct to Bell Equine when you complete your claim form, but if doing this, please submit claim forms as soon as possible in order to avoid losing the 5% prompt payment discount.
8. COMPLAINTS AND STANDARDS
We hope that you never have reason to complain about the standards of service received from Bell Equine. However, if you feel that there is something you wish to complain about, please direct your comments in the first instance in writing to the Managing Partner.
9. OWNERSHIP OF RADIOGRAPHS AND SIMILAR RECORDS
The care given to your horse may involve making some specific investigations; for example taking radiographs or performing ultrasound scans. Even though we make a charge for carrying out these investigations and interpreting their results, ownership of the resulting record, for example a radiograph, remains with the Practice.
10. NON-VARIATION
No addition or variance of these conditions will bind the Practice unless specifically agreed in writing and signed by a Partner. No agent or person employed by or under contract with the Practice has the authority to alter or vary these conditions in any way.
11. DATA PROTECTION
In holding and using data about you, we will comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.
In instructing us to look after your horse, you authorise us to use that data in the course of the work that we do for you, and also to send you from time to time in the future, free of charge, details of the services that we provide. We will, where specifically required, pass on to Insurers details of clinical histories, case records and diagnostic images relating to your horse.
12. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
This condition applies to any claim:-by you; against us (including any successor practice), any past, present or future partners of this firm, and/or any past present or future employees of this firm. Such claim shall be limited in amount to £5,000.00 for each and every claim, including claimants’ costs. All claims, whether made by one or more of the parties referred to above or by a third party, arising from the same act or omissions, shall be regarded as one claim.
For the avoidance of doubt, this limitation of liability shall apply to any claim for negligence, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, and any liability whatsoever.
13. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to providing the same high quality service to all our clients, regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
14. PASSPORTS
All horses, ponies and donkeys must have passports, which should be available for the vet to check and be signed by the owner to confirm that the animal is not going for human consumption.
If you do not have a passport, we can help you obtain one. Where a passport is not available the detailed record of medicinal products must be retained. This information is available on your account documentation.