Referral of a case

To discuss a case with one of our clinicians please contact us on 01425 485615

To refer a case, please complete a referral form. You can:

• Phone on 01425 485615
• Fax us a referral form (see column on right to download) on 01425 480849
• Email us a referral form (see column on right to download) to admin@scvetspecialists.co.uk
• Post us a referral form to:
  • Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists LLP
  • Unit 6, Forest Corner Farm
    Hangersley
    Ringwood
    Hampshire BH24 3JW

Should you require a referral form, either download it from the column on the right or telephone the reception staff who can send one by fax or post.

The referral form should be accompanied by a cover letter and full history including laboratory results and radiographs if possible. This may be done by fax, email or post.

On receipt of the referral form the reception staff will contact your client directly to arrange an appointment. They will also inform you, the referring veterinary surgeon, of the arranged appointment by fax, email or telephone.

To refer an emergency please telephone us on 01425 485615. Telephones are manned 24/7 by nurses and/or interns who will be available to arrange an emergency appointment with the clinician on call. Please note that sometimes it is not possible to provide emergency cover for all our disciplines, but we will do our utmost to ensure excellent service wherever possible.

Please do not fax or email us emergency cases. Although we check these regularly, we cannot guarantee to reply immediately.

Referral of a case for advanced imaging (CT, MRI, Ultrasound)

Referral for advanced scanning will involve one of the three following possibilities:

1. Refer the case fully. We will perform a consultation and determine the most appropriate form of imaging and/or other diagnostics as required.
2. Send the animal for advanced imaging of a specified area and receive a radiologist’s report (typically within 24 hours).
3. Send the animal for advanced imaging of a specified area and receive the images without interpretation.

(Please note: for options 2 and 3, the images ± report are returned to you promptly to allow you to liaise with your client in a timely manner. If findings are of an urgent nature we will attempt to contact you immediately via telephone. Note that SCVS would not normally communicate findings of the scans to clients referred solely for imaging.)

• All patients referred for advanced imaging must have a full haematology and biochemistry blood screen less than two weeks prior to general anaesthetic. 
• Please complete and fax back the "Advanced Imaging Referral" form (form R2). The form can be downloaded from the column on the right.
  

On receipt of the completed form, we will contact the client and arrange a time for admission on the next available day.

What clients can expect on the day of the scan:

• On arrival at SCVS clients are received by veterinary interns (unless the case has been fully referred in which case the client will have an appointment with the appropriate referral clinician). A pre-anaesthetic examination is performed. A consent form is signed by the client.
• The pet is admitted and the scan performed under general anaesthesia or sedation.
• Following recovery of the pet, the client is telephoned to establish time of collection.
• Instructions on post-anaesthetic care will accompany the pet on discharge. For external referrals (options 2 or 3 above) the discharge form will state: "Your own veterinary surgeon will be in contact with you to report on the findings."
• Payment will usually be taken prior to discharge.
• A radiologist’s report (if requested- option 2 above) will be sent by fax and post to the referring veterinary surgeon, typically within 24 hours. Images will be sent to the referring vet by post.

Reading X-Rays and ECGs

Our specialists are happy to receive these for interpretation. Please complete the appropriate form (download from column on the right) and enclose together. We offer several levels of service at the following prices:

• Interpretation of radiographs
  • Verbal report free of charge
  • Written report £48.93 inc VAT
• Interpretation of ECGs
  • Verbal report free of charge
  • Written report £21.85 inc VAT

Enquiries