Portland Vets’ protocols have been developed in line with current recommendations from RCVS, BVA and the Government. Over the past weeks, we have been gradually increasing our capacity to see all pets that require veterinary attention, treatment and preventative health care. We continue to work with you to follow the guidelines, and ensure that we minimise the risk of spreading Coronavirus infection.

Our East Grinstead and Horley surgeries have returned to normal opening hours and a full working team. The Edenbridge branch remains open on reduced hours (Please call to find out daily times 01732 868680).

From 6^th July as England continues to come out of lockdown, clients will be permitted to re-enter the premises in East Grinstead. (Variations on this will apply at the branches, so please call ahead or check their individual social media pages.)  This transition will take place in line with legislation and guidance, in the context of safe working practices, whilst limiting the number of social contacts made each day. The following must be adhered to, whilst waiting or entering reception:

• Do not visit the practice if you are unwell or self-isolating.
• Only 2 clients in reception at any one time. (only one client per pet)
• Your own face coverings must be warn whilst in the premises.
• Hand sanitiser (provided by the front door) to be used on entry and exit of the premises.
• Follow the arrows into and out of the building operating a one way system.
• Stand on the designated area indicated by the floor marker whilst waiting.
• Only one client at a time to approach the reception desk.
• Please be respectful of social distancing and keep at least 1m from other clients or team members at all times.

All medications, prescriptions, food etc. should be pre ordered by telephone, email or via our online store, 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 on arrival, a team member will come out to the car park and collect your pet for their appointment. Then follow the guidance above 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 fourteen days, ie you should be self-isolating under current guidelines.
• Maintain a minimum of 1 metre 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.

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

• Enforce social distancing and wear face coverings.
• 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.
• Clean all high contact areas hourly 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 fourteen days if they live with an affected person.

These ways of working will need to be in place for the foreseeable future, as we all transition to the ‘new normal’. It is important to stress that this is not a return to our pre-coronavirus ‘business as usual’ ways of working. We all have a duty to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and reduce the risk of a second peak of infection. 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.

With government recommendations constantly changing we will update accordingly, so 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.