Vetfone
Posted on Monday, October 01 @ 21:12:48 BST by jenvetadmin
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Vetfone is a national helpline for pet owners. You must have heard about it from your clients - if not here are the facts.
After 8 years experience creating and running medical help and triage services in the UK the Vetfone Directors launched a Pet equivalent of the NHS Direct service in April 2004. Run initially as a pilot with the Scottish SPCA in Scotland, Vetfone is now rolling out UK wide.
The service, the first of its type in the UK, is aimed at pet owners worried about their animals, or anyone seeking general advice or information on their animals care, any time of the day or night.
Callers are connected by telephone, to an experienced and qualified Veterinary Nurse who in turn is supported by a number of clinical and other decision support resources imbedded in Vetfone’s IT systems. As can be seen by the recent press release Vetfone is already filling an important gap in the provision of expert advice to per owners. Callers seem to appreciate the convenience and ease of access to sensible and reassuring advice 24/7, knowing that if the nurse says the animal needs to see a vet they should do so without delay. Examples of some calls that the vet nurses have received include: * Family away on a camping holiday, King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, fits during the night. Vetfone Nurse was able reassure the owner and immediately given directions and opening times for the nearest local vets. * Caller had a python which had an infected blister after a burn. Immediately referred to the closest vet practice. * Young parent calling for advice on the most suitable species of dog for her circumstances (busy household with young children). Advice given. * Young patient calling for "second opinion" advice on a skin problem with her dog. Vet had offered her a biopsy and investigation, however she could not afford the charge at the moment and she not eligible for PDSA treatment. Nurse advised her to go back to the original Vet, explain situation and offer to pay the investigation bill in installments.
Michael Maltby, Vetfone's Managing Director, explained: "Vetfone offers pet owners general advice that provides peace of mind for people who are unsure whether their pet requires veterinary attention. "The service is proving successful and a survey of the first users of Vetfone showed that 9 out of 10 people would use the service again. We are continuing to work at promoting Vetfone, as there are many people who are still unaware that this national helpline service exists."
Vetfone Helpline Tel: 09065 00 55 00 Calls cost £1.50p per minute, with the average call expected to last six minutes. Half of the revenue, after telephony costs, goes to the Scottish SPCA.
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