Do vets keep a record of telephone conversations?

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TomH

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I was wondering if anyone knew if vets keep a record of telephone conversations?

I phoned my vets back in May for some advice but the vet never came out as the issue resolved itself.

Would they have a record of this?
 
Highly likely. With the world as it is when I've worked in equine and small animal I have always been told to record phone convos on notes. The actual telephone call won't have been recorded but its likely your notes will say something along the lines of " owner called concerned about x, advised x y z. Told to call again if not resolved by x."
 
That would be interesting. Called my vet first thing in the morning for some advice and was told they would call me back. They didn't ring back til 3 days later, by then the problem had sorted itself out!
 
You should be able to ask for a printout/email of your notes/any x-rays/scans you have had done. It might be an idea to explain why although you don't have to as they are asked for if you want to move vets.
 
It probably depends on your vet, I have copies of the history for 2 horses, I know what treatment they have had yet the notes are very limited, 1 had antibiotics which I collected that is on the notes but no reason is given for why they were prescribed, it was for mud fever but no mention of it. The other had several phone conversations, nothing in the notes, he had xrays taken and the findings are not even written up.

As for getting copies you can ask for them, you do not have to be changing vets.
 
Would it seem a bit strange if I rang up and asked for my notes?

I really don't want to tell them why I want them.
 
I think, like most things, its down to the individual, at the vets I worked at one of the vets wrote absolutely everything down, to the excess whereas another you were lucky to get the prescriptions written down without pestering.
 
They might find it unusual but it is your right to have access and they do not have to be given a reason, if you want just say it is something to do with checking insurance claims, if you are insured or that you may be taking out insurance and want to check nothing unexpected will show up.
 
I used to work at a vets on reception along with other things. It was not unusual or unacceptable. I seem to think you have a right to see them.
 
I would email and request them, if you have no joy you could submit a data subject access request (section 7), they must then provide you with all data requested within 40 days.
 
norfolk_grump said:
Aren't they the vet's notes about you and not "your notes". As such, why do you think you should have access to them?
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I expect most vets would be fine with OP having access to them - insurance companies always ask for full veterinary history via the vets - so it's not an unusual request. It would certainly document any dates of any 'conditions' whether claimed for at the time or not these will of course be excluded by insurers after 12 months have lapsed.
 
But they remain the vet's notes about your animal and are his / her property. They may write a report based on those notes, for which they will be paid, they also have the right to decline to comment on them.
 
Clients are allowed access to their own records. They cannot refuse to give you the records, but they may ask you to confirm your identity.

I have never heard of a vets charging, but my doctors charged me for a print out of my vaccination records!

I have given clients print out of their records and not thought it too strange, some people like to have the records so they can see what conditions the animal has had that may put exclusions on a new insurance policy for instance, With regards to note-taking it depends on the practice/vet. I record everything religiously. My vet will record clinical notes form consults, but is rubbish as recording phone calls.
 
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Depends on the vet practice I'd imagine. I use 4 different equine vet practices for different things with my horses. I know for sure that one of those practices does not take notes, they just hold records. The other 3 equine vets I use do keep notes on my horses as well as records. If I ever wanted the notes from these practices then it's doubtful they would even question why I wanted them, they'd just scan them and email them over to me. If you have a good working relationship with your vet then I'd just ask him if his receptionists keep notes on the horse's record card, and if they do, can you have a copy of them please.
 
Yes, you can ask for a copy of your horse's notes/history. If they ask why, you could just tell them you're changing insurance companies and have been asked to send a copy. That's not unusual.
 
norfolk_grump said:
But they remain the vet's notes about your animal and are his / her property. They may write a report based on those notes, for which they will be paid, they also have the right to decline to comment on them.
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Spring Feather said:
Depends on the vet practice I'd imagine. I use 4 different equine vet practices for different things with my horses. I know for sure that one of those practices does not take notes, they just hold records. The other 3 equine vets I use do keep notes on my horses as well as records. If I ever wanted the notes from these practices then it's doubtful they would even question why I wanted them, they'd just scan them and email them over to me. If you have a good working relationship with your vet then I'd just ask him if his receptionists keep notes on the horse's record card, and if they do, can you have a copy of them please.
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Actually it doesn't depend on the vets and they do not remain the property of the vets, they are your right by law to view and obtain copies of. If you need more info on the process pm me.
 
I would say that the vets records are their records, not yours. We are accountants and our records are our records not the clients. We will provide copies on occasion to clients, but that is our choice to do so we are not obliged to.

However, it is normal for vets/doctors to forward on notes to new practitioners where there is a change of practitioner, and they may be willing to provide you with a copy. Worth asking.
 
Queenbee said:
Actually it doesn't depend on the vets and they do not remain the property of the vets, they are your right by law to view and obtain copies of. If you need more info on the process pm me.
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The OP is talking about notes, not the horse's veterinary record file. The record file, yes perhaps OP can have access to them. Notes, they are for the vets personal reference so he would not have to show them.
 
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