Veterinary surgeons may on occasion need to refer patients to an outside organisation, practice or colleague if they feel that the case is outside of their skills and experience. At Heathfield Vets we try to do as much as we can at the practice so our patients and clients don’t have to travel. For example, we have facilities to provide diagnostic ultrasounds, perform orthopaedic surgeries such as TPLOs and we offer laparoscopic neutering. We also work with veterinary colleagues in the fields of endoscopy and ophthalmology and a cardiac specialist, all of whom are able to visit our practice and see patients here.
While referral to a veterinary referral centre is uncommon, it can be vital for patients who need advanced diagnostic imaging such as CT or MRI scans, oncology treatment, advanced dental treatment, or specialist surgery. The advancements in veterinary medicine in the last few decades have been incredible, there is so much more we can do to treat our pets now, thanks to specialists and the facilities at veterinary referral centres.
What happens if my pet needs a referral?
You veterinary surgeon will explain why a referral is necessary and what sort of diagnostics or treatment they would expect to be performed (e.g. a consultation, an MRI scan, potential surgery). Where possible, they will give you an estimate of cost, which can later be confirmed with the referral centre. They will also advise of our referral fee which is charged to cover the time taken by the veterinary surgeon to arrange the referral (which is always done vet to vet), review referral reports and liaise with the referral centre about ongoing treatment. If owners are happy to proceed with a referral we will begin the process.
Where can my pet be referred to?
As an independent practice we have no affiliation with any referral centres and there is no incentive for us to choose a particular one. This means your pet can be referred to the centre that works best for you and your pet. If you have a preferred referral centre (which you may have visited before or been recommended by a friend) you can let us know, otherwise we will advise of the closest practices which can offer the diagnostics or treatment required, within the necessary timeframe for your pet’s condition.
What if my pet needs an emergency referral?
If your vet thinks that your pet needs to be seen as soon as possible, this often means our team of receptionists and nurses phoning multiple referral centres to see if anywhere has availability. While we will try the closest centres first, you may need to travel further afield to have your pet seen within the time their health status requires.
What happens next?
Once the referral centre has confirmed they can see your pet, they will contact you directly to arrange an appointment (or in emergency cases to confirm an arrival time). At this point they can also confirm an estimate of cost and discuss payment and/or insurance. Once your pet has been seen by the referral team, a written report is emailed to us for your veterinary surgeon to review. Depending on the type of treatment, you may need to return to the referral centre for follow up care or to your regular practice for check-ups.
What is a Specialist or Advanced Practitioner?
If a veterinary surgeon has a particular field of interest, they may choose to complete post-graduate qualifications in this area. For example, a vet who wishes to focus on eye health may complete further studies in small animal ophthalmology, obtaining either a postgraduate certificate, advanced certificate or a general practitioner certificate, depending on which training programme they have completed. Vets who have completed post-graduate qualifications in a particular clinical field can register as an RCVS ‘Advanced Practitioner’ which is a status awarded to veterinary surgeons who have proven their skill-set in a particular field (or ‘discipline’) above and beyond that of the standard undergraduate veterinary degree. An RCVS ‘Specialist’ is a protected title reserved for individuals who have achieved a postgraduate qualification at least at Diploma level, and must additionally satisfy the RCVS that they make an active contribution to their specialty, have national and international acclaim and publish widely in their field. Before referring any patient, your vet will ensure that the referral vet is suitably qualified and if owners wish to find out more about their referral vet or find an advanced practitioner or specialist, they can visit the RCVS find a vet website.
Call us on 01435 864422 if you have any questions about the referral process.
