Welcome To Acorn House Veterinary Hospital

Welcome to our practice website 

COVID update 1st August 2021

The following information explains the procedures that Acorn House has put in place to enable us to look after our patients whilst keeping staff and clients safe during the COVID19 pandemic.

Please note that we are currently operating close to capacity in terms of appointment availability and hospital space. This means that we have strict limits on the number of new client registrations we are able to accept. A small number of new registrations will be opened up each week - please call us if you wish to register with Acorn House and we will accommodate you if we can. Existing clients may continue to register new pets.

Animal Health Certificates for travel abroad are not currently available.

Opening hours

Opening hours are 8am to 8pm weekdays and 8am to 4:30pm on Saturdays. Our on-site out of hours emergency service will operate as normal outside of these times.

Booking an appointment

Please call Reception during normal opening hours to make an appointment or use the online booking service via the website. All appointments must be booked in advance – please don’t just turn up!

There is currently very high demand for appointments. Please let us know if you book an appointment and then find that you are unable to attend.

Telephone/ video consultations are available at the same price as an on-site consultation and can be booked by calling Reception if preferred. 

Attending an appointment

Clients attending a pre-booked appointment will be greeted in the car park by a member of staff who will perform the “check in” so that there is no need to enter the building at this point. If the member of staff is temporarily unavailable, please approach the “Enquiries” portacabin in the car park or telephone the surgery from the car park to let us know that you have arrived. Please wait in the car park. Make sure that you have your phone with you as the vet will ring you to discuss your pet at the start of the appointment, avoiding face-to-face contact.

The vet will bring your pet inside the building whilst you wait outside. They will call you after the examination to discuss their findings and any treatment recommended.

After the consultation your pet will be returned to you in the car park and you will be invited to enter the Reception area to collect medication, make any future appointments, and to make payment. Reception has been adapted for social distancing (one-way system, 2m queueing markers, plastic screening, hand sanitiser). Please note that only one client per pet should enter Reception, and a face covering must be worn. If you would prefer not to enter the Reception area, please telephone the Reception desk from the car park and payment can be taken over the telephone and medication brought out to the car park instead.

Social distancing measures remain under constant review; but based on the current government “roadmap” we do not expect to have clients back in the consulting rooms until 16th August at the earliest (dependent on staff being vaccinated and the self-isolation guidelines being altered).

Ordering medication

Repeat medication can be ordered using our online click and collect service, by emailing info@acornhousevets.co.uk or by telephoning Reception. Please allow 48 hours (72 hours over a weekend) before travelling to the practice to collect this medication.

Collecting medication

Please let the staff member in the car park know that you would like to collect medication and they will direct you to the queue system inside Reception. Reception has been adapted for social distancing (one-way system, 2M queuing markers, plastic screening, hand sanitizer). Please note that only one client per pet should enter Reception, and a face covering must be worn. Medication can be collected and paid for at Reception. If you would prefer not to enter the Reception area, please telephone the Reception desk from the car park and payment can be taken over the telephone and medication brought out to the car park instead.

Clients that are self isolating

If you have COVID symptoms or have otherwise been asked to self-isolate, please do not attend the practice. Ask a friend or neighbour to bring your pet / collect medication for you, or telephone the practice to arrange a video consultation instead.

Procedures available

All procedures are available, with the exception of Animal Health Certificates for travel.

Vaccinations

All puppy, kitten, rabbit and adult dog/cat vaccinations may be booked in as normal.

Neutering

Cat, dog, rabbit and small pet neuterings are all available. Please call Reception to discuss and book.

Home visits

Although we are not currently offering house visits, we may be able to offer a home visit if your pet can be examined/treated in your garden. Visits are usually carried out between 11am-3:30pm and are only suitable for dogs, not cats. The vet must be able to access the garden without entering your house. Visits are subject to availability and will not always be possible as we need to ensure that sufficient staff remain on site to provide essential services.

Nurse clinics

Nurse clinics are available for post operative checks, 6 month health checks, nail clips, anal gland emptying and medication administration. Please book by calling Reception or using the online booking system.

Euthanasia appointments

Euthanasia appointments for dogs can take place in the practice garden. Families can remain with their pets, whilst the vet administers the injection using a drip line, facilitating social distancing. Face coverings must be worn.

In poor weather, after dark, or for cats, we can offer indoor euthanasia appointments. Clients will be required to complete a COVID questionnaire over the telephone prior to entering the consultation room, and admission is limited to ONE PERSON ONLY. A face covering must be worn by the client at all times, and the veterinary surgeon will be wearing full PPE (surgical mask, face visor, apron, and gloves).

For those clients that are self-isolating, shielding or prefer not to be present during euthanasia, we will of course be able to perform the euthanasia without the client present. We will always ensure that patients are reassured and supported by our team of vets and nurses before and during the procedure so that their passing is peaceful.

New registrations

A limited number of new registrations will be accepted during August 2021. Appointment availability and client numbers are continually monitored and the number of new registrations that can be accepted each week will  be decided on a weekly basis. Please call the Customer Care team to enquire further.

Thank you

The staff at Acorn House have worked very hard to continue to provide veterinary care for their patients during the constantly-evolving COVID lockdown. We are extremely grateful to our lovely clients who have worked with us to make the various restrictions and changes work over the past few months and thank you for your continued support and understanding.

 

                           

 

 

 

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