Am I entitled to copies of test results?

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vanrim

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I took 2 horses to holistic vet Donna Blinman last year. She sends poo and saliva samples to Germany for testing for which she charges £180 per horse. I have never seen the test results for either horse. She just sent an email saying the results found that "there aren't enough of the right kinds of bacteria in his hind gut and this is causing inflammation, if that makes sense". She did the test for the second horse just before she went travelling for 3 months. She had time to invoice me before she went but I have never had any results for this test. The relationship has now turned sour. Am I entitled to copies of the actual results? I know that X-rays are usually the property of the equine hospital that does them for example. I just want the results of the test she charged me for.
 
From the RCVS website: Hope it helps.

13.5 Where a client has been specifically charged and has paid for radiographic images or other reports, they are legally entitled to them. A practice may choose to make it clear to clients that they are not charged for radiographs or laboratory reports, but for diagnosis or advice only.

13.6 The Data Protection Act 1998 gives anyone the right to be informed about any personal data relating to themselves on payment of an administration charge. At the request of a client, veterinary surgeons must provide copies of any relevant clinical and client records, including radiographic images and similar documents. This also includes relevant records which have come from other practices, if they relate to the same animal and the same client, but does not include records which relate to the same animal but a different client.
 
I am extremely surprised that she sent these to Germany ..... my vets admit themselves that the UK is always ahead of them with treatments etc.....
I know when I had a horse with gut issues I wished I was in UK as the tests available / Treatments / knowledge of the vets there is much more extensive.
Makes me very suspicious why these were not worked in UK ??
 
GermanyJo said:
I am extremely surprised that she sent these to Germany ..... my vets admit themselves that the UK is always ahead of them with treatments etc.....
I know when I had a horse with gut issues I wished I was in UK as the tests available / Treatments / knowledge of the vets there is much more extensive.
Makes me very suspicious why these were not worked in UK ??
Click to expand...

Think we all know why !!!
 
She states she is registered as a practising vet. In which case she must comply with the RCVS guidelines above. Failure to do so is professional misconduct. If she failed to have the tests done then that is fraud. I would suggest making a DPA request and paying the admin fee - which cannot exceed £10. If she fails to comply complain both to the Information Commissioner and to the RCVS.
 
Gosh thanks everyone. I can't believe how knowledgeable you all are. Now I have somewhere to start.
 
I've met Donna Blinman....too much 'smoke and mirrors' with her answers to anything for my liking.
I personally found her to be very evasive when asked about anything.

looks like you've got some useful advice on here....
 
GermanyJo said:
Ask her where the tests were sent in Germany .. company name etc .. send me a PM with your details and I can give them a call :-)
Click to expand...
I will try asking her but she isn't replying to any of my emails. She also insisted I had to send the samples to her as they had to be couriered to the lab in Germany when I asked if I could send them direct. The reason she gave for sending the samples abroad is that there aren't any labs in UK that will test bacterial makeup of poo. I know my own vet practice Leahurst Equine Hospital didn't know of anywhere I could have these tests done which is why I didn't question it before.
 
I have just received the results for both horses. She was very apologetic. Apparently there has been a family loss.
 
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