Before referring a patient, please ensure that all in house options and facilities have been made use of, including but not limited to: in house referrals to certificate holders or vets with special interests, and advice from senior vets.
Once it has been decided that referral is necessary, please observe the following protocol.
- Cases should be referred to the nearest CVS referral or specialist vet, unless extenuating circumstances are present, such as the lack of an appropriate specialist in the area, or client being unable to travel to the nearest CVS referral option.
- Vets should promptly complete the appropriate paperwork that the referral vet requires, and ensure a complete and up to date clinical history is available on the client’s file so that any history requests can be resolved promptly.
- Clinical notes should specify which practice and vet the case has been referred to, the condition the patient has been referred for and the date of the referral appointment.
- Vets should follow up with the client after their appointment.
- Referral reports should be attached to the client’s file for future reference.
