Opening Hours
| Kirkliston | Monday to Friday | 08:30 to 18:30 |
| Saturday | 08:30 to 13:00 | |
| Linlithgow (branch) | Monday to Friday | 09:00 to 10:30 & 17:00 to 18:30 |
| Saturday | 09:00 to 10:30 |
Parking & Disabled Access
A private car park is located to the rear of the Kirkliston premises and a nearby public car park next to Linlithgow Loch is available at the Linlithgow premises. Both premises have provision for disabled parking, access and toilet facilities can be made available on request to reception.
Appointments
All consultations are by prior appointment, unless in true emergency. Where possible we will accommodate requests for appointments with specific vets but this may not always be possible.
Surgery
Routine surgery is performed Monday to Friday. Estimates for routine procedures are available on request.
Transport
It is the responsibility of the owner to arrange for transport to or from the surgery either in a routine or emergency situation. This includes where onward travel is required for admitted patients.
Out of Hours Emergency Care
When we are closed our out of hours emergency service is provided by VetsNow (Edinburgh: 0131 444 0990). Clients can utilise any VetsNow clinic throughout the UK. For non-emergency queries or if unsure an online VideoVet service is available until 11pm (www.vets-now.com/videovet).
Hospitalisation
Where overnight hospitalisation is required during the week this can be undertaken at our Kirkliston Surgery. Our premises are not manned 24 hours a day so overnight checks will be made as deemed appropriate by the duty vet. If 24 hour care is required then an external referral can be made on request. Hospitalisation at the weekend is by VetsNow and if a patient transfer is necessary then it is the responsibility of the owner to arrange transport.
Referrals and Second Opinions
In some circumstances we may recommend, or the owner of an animal may request, for veterinary attention to be provided by a third party. This may be for specialist procedures, opinion or emergency care. There is an administrative fee for this as set out below. We take no responsibility for the actions or advice given by any third party. We will offer second opinion appointments on request, but would encourage where appropriate that clients return to their primary care practice to seek further treatment taking into account any recommendations given.
Prescriptions
Written prescriptions for Prescription Only Medicines Veterinary (POM-V) are available on request for animals that are under our care and can be used to obtain medicines from another veterinary surgeon or pharmacy. Animals requiring repeat prescriptions must be seen at least every 3 months. Consultation and prescription charges are set out below.
House Visits
In most circumstances the interests of an animal will be best served by being brought to the practice where there is a full range of equipment, medicines, facilities and personnel. In some circumstances, however, it may be appropriate to arrange for a vet to visit your premises during normal working hours (such as for euthanasia, assessment of very stressed animals or if transport to the practice is not possible). The cost of this will be in excess of standard fees and will be available on request.
Exports
We are able to undertake Official Veterinary duties for companion animals. We would always recommend the use of a dedicated export company who will provide you with guidance and a schedule of requirements prior to export. We request that you familiarise yourself with these requirements, communicate them to us in advance and on the day, present your pet at the appropriate time for the appropriate action and with the appropriate supporting documents at each step. Failure to do so may result in delays and extra costs for which we accept no liability.
Estimates
We will be happy to give estimates for any work before it is undertaken. Due to the nature of veterinary work it is possible that the final cost will vary from any estimate given.
Payment
Payment for all goods and services is required at the point of purchase. This is irrespective of insurance status. If payment is not made, we reserve the right to employ a debt collection service and to add on fees or charges for any outstanding or late payments.
Insurance Claims
Insurance claims will incur a non-recoverable processing fee to cover our administration costs. We aim to complete insurance claim submissions within two weeks of a request. We will only make direct claims
where a formal pre-authorisation has been approved or where continued payment is indicated following acceptance of a claim by the insurer.
Fees
All consultations are charged irrespective of whether an animal or condition has been seen before.
Some example fees are as follows. We reserve the right to change fees at any time.
Standard consultation (any condition not seen within 3 months):
£43.87
Follow on consultation (any condition seen within 3 months):
£31.08
Referral fee:
£19.84
Prescription fee (first item):
£21.18
Prescription fee (additional item):
£14.12
Out of hours fees are set by our out of hours and emergency care provider VetsNow. We have no control over these fees and they are subject to change without notice. The likely current charge to be seen at VetsNow is set out below but we would always recommend requesting an up to date estimate prior to using their service.
VetsNow Out of Hours fee + Consult fee:
£320.00 (£240.00 + £80.00)
VetsNow VideoVet fee (refundable if seen):
£24.00
Products and additional services will be charged in addition to the consultation fees.
Complaints
We care about our patients, our clients and our service. If you feel that we have not provided the quality of service expected then please contact us by phone (0131 333 3203), email (vets@mackieandbrechin.co.uk) or by post (The Directors, Mackie & Brechin Ltd, 29 Main Street, Kirkliston, EH29 9AE). We will respond to complaints according to the urgency of patient care implications and the urgency requested by the owner, e.g. telephone call back at a specific time or within the day. For more general complaints requiring time to investigate and establish facts we will aim to respond to a complaint acknowledging it within 1 week of receipt, and to give a full response within 2 weeks.
Alternative Communications
On request we can make all practice information and communications tailored to client needs, e.g., language translations, altered font sizes and colours, recorded audio and bespoke communications e.g., phone call reminders.
Student Involvement in Care
We are a training practice and as such student vets and nurses may be involved in the care of your animal. Anonymous photographic evidence featuring your animal may be required for coursework.
PRESCRIPTIONS – FURTHER INFORMATION
- Prescriptions are available from this practice.
- You may obtain Prescription only Medicines Veterinary (POM-Vs) from your veterinary surgeon OR ask for a prescription and obtain these medicines from another veterinary surgeon or pharmacy.
- Your veterinary surgeon may prescribe POM-Vs only for animals under their care.
- A prescription may not be appropriate if your animal is an in-patient or immediate treatment is necessary.
- You will be informed, on request, of the price of any medicine that may be dispensed for your animal.
- The general policy of this practice is to re-assess an animal requiring repeat prescriptions every 3 months, or sooner as appropriate. The standard charge for a re-examination is £31.08.
- The cost for a written prescription is £21.18 for the first item and £14.12 for each additional item. The prescription will last for one month and can be repeated twice giving three months medication in total, other than for controlled medicines for which repeats are not allowed.
- Further information on the prices of medicines is available on request.