Portland Vets’ protocols have been developed in line with current recommendations from RCVS, BVA and the Government. On 5th January 2021 the Covid alert level was raised to level 5 by the government and the whole country was placed into LOCKDOWN and Teir 4 restrictions applied. All 3 Portland Vet Practices will not be permitting clients entry in to any of the practice buildings. 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 will continue to assess all appointments on an animal welfare basis. Any pet that requires veterinary attention, treatment and preventative health care will be seen on this basis. We will be performing annual vaccinations based on your individual pets health risk. (Please do contact your branch directly if your pet is due their vaccinations to ascertain their risk). All primary vaccinations will be given. However puppies will have their vaccines given at 8 and 12 weeks reducing your visits to the practice in line with government guidelines. Any non urgent healthcare treatments will be assessed on a case by case basis, considering their individual welfare needs. We continue to work with you to follow the guidelines, and ensure that we minimise the risk of spreading Coronavirus infection. For this reason we ask that clients travel to their nearest Portland Vets practice for treatment, unless otherwise advised by a team member.

Our East Grinstead and Horley surgeries remain on normal opening hours and a full working team. The Edenbridge branch remains open on reduced hours, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

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:

• Enforce social distancing and wear face masks, visors and aprons.
• 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 hourly hand washing and 4 hourly 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 need to be in place until the government lift the LOCK DOWN restrictions. 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.

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.