Portland Vets’ protocols have been developed in line with current recommendations from RCVS, BVA and the Government. On 17th May 2021 further restrictions were lifted across the whole country and Portland Vets have made some minor adjustments to their safe working practices. We are mindful that should an outbreak of Covid happen with any one of the practices it would result in an emergency service only or complete closure. Portland Vets East Grinstead and Horley will begin to allow clients in to reception for payment and booking of appointments only with the following guidelines:

Only one client in reception at a time.

The wearing of a face covering is mandatory.

Our Edenbridge Practice will not be permitting clients entry at this time. This transition is taking place in line with legislation and guidance, in the context of safe working practices, whilst limiting the number of social contacts made each day. We continue to work with you to follow the guidelines, and ensure that we minimise the risk of spreading Coronavirus infection.

All Portland Vets Practices have returned to normal opening hours and a full working team.

The following must be adhered to, whilst waiting:

• Do not visit the practice if you are unwell or self-isolating.
• Only 1 client to approach our temporary reception window and only one client per pet.
• Wear a face covering whilst speaking with a team member.
• Hand sanitiser (provided by the door) to be used as required.
• Please be respectful of social distancing and keep at least 2m from other clients or team members at all times.

All medications, prescriptions, food etc. should be pre ordered by telephone, or email, allowing us to provide ‘click and collect’, all collections before 5:30pm. This will provide a more efficient service and keep waiting times to a minimum.

Consultations will continue outside the building for the time being, to maintain social distancing for our Veterinary teams. Please report to our temporary outdoor reception at the store room door (East Grinstead) or window (Horley and Edenbridge) on arrival, a team member will come out to the car park and collect your pet for their appointment. Then follow the guidance from your Vet or Nurse to pay and collect any medications prescribed.

What we are asking our clients to do to protect the Portland Vets team and other visitors:

• Bring cats, rabbits and other small pets in a freshly cleaned secure basket, that can be placed on the ground.
• Ensure dogs are wearing a well fitting collar or harness and a lead, ideally of a type that can be briefly tied up.
• Stay away from the surgery if you have had a fever or cough in the last seven days or a member of your household has displayed symptoms in the last ten days, ie you should be self-isolating under current guidelines.
• Wear face covering whilst speaking with team members.
• Maintain a minimum of 2 metres distance from team members at all times. For this reason, information on your pet’s health will be taken outside the building and animals will be examined by the vet in the consultation room, as you wait in the car park or our temporary out door consultation area.

What the Portland Vets team will do to protect themselves and their clients:

• Perform lateral flow covid test twice a week and wear face masks.
• Ensure that pets are handed over to a Portland Team member while maintaining a safe distance.
• Take animals inside for treatment without their owners and return them to the car park.
• Maintain hand washing and cleaning of all high contact areas with virucidal cleaner.
• Provide hand sanitizer.
• Reduced home visits – if a client is unable to bring their pet in and requests a house visit, they will be asked if a friend or neighbour  can help initially.
• Ensure staff self-isolate for seven days if they display symptoms or ten days if they live with an affected person.

These ways of working will remain in place for a little while longer until the majority of our team have been vaccinated. We all have a duty to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and this new more contagious variant. If strict social distancing guidelines are not adhered to, we risk an outbreak within our teams; which would result in a temporary closure of the practice and compromise patient welfare.

Please do keep checking here and our social media platforms to remain informed of our protocols. We hope that everyone stays safe and well, whilst we continue to work hard to provide health care for all of your pets.

Please read this if you are concerned about your pet and Coronavirus.