Terms & Conditions

Guasco and Associates Ltd is committed to providing the highest possible standards of veterinary care and attention to patients and their owners. If any points are unclear, feel free to ask a member of staff to explain.

Fees

All fees include VAT at the current rate and are determined by the time spent on a case in addition to the drugs, equipment and materials used. Written estimates can be provided upon request and remain valid for a period of 1 month, but please bear in mind that any estimate given can only be approximate, as the progress of any illness or condition is not certain.

Payment Terms

It is our policy that all clients need to build up a satisfactory credit record with us and we will require payment at the time of booking for at least the first 3 appointments.

Should credit terms be allowed, you will be allocated an account limit and will be invoiced for further work up to this limit. If the work carried out exceeds the account limit, payment will be required on request.

Payment is due strictly 14 days from the date of invoice. All invoices/statements not paid within 42 days will be charged interest at 2.5% per 28 days. All invoices not paid within 42 days will incur a £15 administration charge and a subsequent £15 charge every 28 days until cleared. If our payment terms are not adhered to, we reserve the right to withdraw the credit terms offered. Before undertaking any further work we will require settlement of any outstanding monies and will expect payment at the time of booking any further appointments.

We understand that on occasions, unexpectedly large bills can occur. If you find yourself in a difficult situation and need to discuss your account, please contact the accounts department.

In the event of non-payment we may refer your account to a debt collection agency or the County Court.  This will incur further costs for which the Client will be liable.

Payment Methods

Bank transfer: BACS or CHAPS; please reference payments with the account holder’s surname, horse’s name, and, most importantly, the invoice number.

Cheques: payable to ‘Guasco and Associates Ltd’.

Please enclose the remittance slip when posting.

Credit/Debit Card/PayPal: we accept all major credit and debit cards (excluding American Express).  

Cash: cash payments are accepted.

Insurance cover for your horse

Guasco and Associates Ltd strongly supports the insurance of horses. Various companies offer policies offering protection against vet fees, accidental death, and permanent loss of use. Your broker should be consulted for specialist advice on this subject.

However, it should be remembered that the account is the responsibility of the owner/keeper of the horse. Any contract of insurance is a contract between the owner/keeper and the insurance company and it is the role of the insurance company to reimburse you for the fees paid for veterinary treatment. Such fees must be paid to Guasco and Associates Ltd within our normal payment terms. Guasco and Associates Ltd is not responsible for invalid insurance claims for whatever reason. Some companies will allow payment directly to the veterinary practice.

Complaints and Standards

We will always do our very best to meet your expectations and offer exceptional care and service, but if you do feel dissatisfied with any aspect, please discuss it with the director.

Second opinions and referrals

Data Protection

In holding and using data about you, we will comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. In instructing us to look after your horse, you authorise us to use that data in the course of the work that we do for you; and also to send you, from time to time, free of charge, details of the services that we provide. We will where specifically required, pass on to Insurers details of clinical histories, case records, and diagnostic images relating to your horse.

Ownership of radiographs, ultrasound scans, and similar records

The care given to your animal may involve doing specific investigations; for example, taking radiographs or performing ultrasound scans. Even though we make a charge for these investigations and interpreting their results, ownership and retention of the resulting record, for example a radiograph, will remain with Guasco and Associates Ltd. Similarly, case records are also the property of the practice.

On request from another veterinary surgeon taking over the case, copies and a summary of the history will be passed to them following client authorisation.

Fees and charging structures

All our fees and medical charges are subject to VAT at the current rate. Our fee levels are determined by the professional input to the case and according to the medicines, materials, and consumables used. Visit charges are determined by the distance traveled from the practice or previous visit. Details of our fees are available on request and a detailed invoice is provided for every consultation, procedure, or transaction. Written estimates are also available on request. Out-of-hours calls and consultations will attract an additional charge depending on the time of day/night.