Terms and Conditions - Bluebell Vets

Terms & Conditions

Independent Pet Care Ltd, Trading as Bluebell Veterinary Surgery

1. Introduction

These Terms & Conditions apply to all services provided by Independent Pet Care Ltd trading as Bluebell Veterinary Surgery. By registering your pet or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.

2. Fees & Payment Terms

All fees and medical charges are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate. Payment is required in full at the time of consultation or upon collection of your pet, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

For in-patient or hospitalised treatment, accounts must be kept up to date. Once the outstanding balance reaches £400, payment will be required regardless of insurance status.

3. Estimates of Treatment Costs

We are happy to provide estimates for any treatment recommended for your pet. All estimates are guidelines only and are not fixed quotations.

We will always endeavour to keep treatment costs to a minimum while providing appropriate veterinary care. However, a full assessment of your pet’s condition may not be possible until sedation, anaesthesia, or treatment has commenced. As a result, the final cost may be higher or lower than the estimate provided.

If we believe the cost of treatment is likely to exceed the original estimate, we will make reasonable efforts to contact you. In cases of emergency or where immediate decisions are required to protect animal welfare, treatment may proceed without prior authorisation.

4. Overdue Accounts

We reserve the right to apply an administration fee to invoices that remain unpaid 28 days from the invoice date. Invoices unpaid after 60 days may be referred for debt recovery.

5. Debt Recovery Charges

In the event of non-payment of any invoice in its entirety within the required period, further administrative and debt recovery charges may be applied to your account and referred to Debt Solve UK Ltd for recovery.

Please note that upon referral to Debt Solve UK Ltd you will incur additional fees, and you agree to reimburse us of all debt recovery charges we incur in the pursuit of recovering the debt due to the additional correspondence, phone calls, reports, administration costs and other debt recovery actions.

You contractually agree to pay these additional debt recovery sums and interest because of your non-payment under the agreed payment terms.

If the account remains in arrears 30 days after referral to the debt recovery agency, we reserve the right to commence legal proceedings. You agree that you will be liable for any additional debt recovery costs thereafter as well as legal costs. You agree to be liable for our legal costs on an indemnity basis in addition to the principal sum and interest.

We reserve the right to not undertake any further commercial dealings while the debt is outstanding, and we can suspend the provision of any further goods and/or services until the outstanding sum is paid in full. Please note county court judgments can impact your credit rating.

6. Withdrawal of Service

We reserve the right to withdraw or refuse non-essential services where fees remain outstanding. We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards verbal or physical abuse of staff.

7. Prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions are issued at the discretion of the veterinary surgeon. Pets must be registered, under our care, and assessed at least every six months. Notice periods apply for medication and written prescriptions.

8. Telephone Calls

All telephone calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes.

9. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.