Veterinary Client Confidentiality

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jinxyjester

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Please can someone advise me on vet/client confidentiality as I have been informed that our vet has discussed our financial situation/arrangements with our yard manager and if that isn't bad enough, it was within hearing distance of other liveries on the yard.

Furthermore, the yard manager has been overheard talking to other liveries about our situation. Obviously, this has been denied. Any help would be greatly appreciated as we are feeling very agrieved by all this rumour mongering and would like to know where we stand legally.
 
jinxyjester said:
Please can someone advise me on vet/client confidentiality as I have been informed that our vet has discussed our financial situation/arrangements with our yard manager and if that isn't bad enough, it was within hearing distance of other liveries on the yard.

Furthermore, the yard manager has been overheard talking to other liveries about our situation. Obviously, this has been denied. Any help would be greatly appreciated as we are feeling very agrieved by all this rumour mongering and would like to know where we stand legally.
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Do you mean the how you pay for your vets fees????
 
I would of thought animal treatments and your accounts should be private after all you pay fora professional service.
 
jinxyjester said:
Please can someone advise me on vet/client confidentiality as I have been informed that our vet has discussed our financial situation/arrangements with our yard manager and if that isn't bad enough, it was within hearing distance of other liveries on the yard.

Furthermore, the yard manager has been overheard talking to other liveries about our situation. Obviously, this has been denied. Any help would be greatly appreciated as we are feeling very agrieved by all this rumour mongering and would like to know where we stand legally.
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gosh that's awful. I remember years ago Dad taking me to the chiropractors as I couldn't drive following a fall off my horse, and the chiropractor telling Dad out of earshot of me, in the reception that I "was a bit of a baby" because I didn't like my neck swivelled around when it caused me so much pain! I was very angry when Dad told me later what he'd said to him!
 
She was talking about how we were going to pay for the vet bill (insurance claim) and that she was going to wait until the cheque cleared before returning the insurance claim form to us. Bear in mind only the vet knew about our situation so I have to believe the person who told us what she heard.
 
jinxyjester said:
She was talking about how we were going to pay for the vet bill (insurance claim) and that she was going to wait until the cheque cleared before returning the insurance claim form to us. Bear in mind only the vet knew about our situation so I have to believe the person who told us what she heard.
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I have to say I think that vets are prone to talk to YM or YO's because there is often a vested interest for both parties to know what's going on with a certain situation.

Doesn't make it right - but I can sort of understand why it might happen....
 
Thank you and I suppose I can understand aspects of health & treatment, etc. being open to "some" discussion, but surely all financial arrangements with your vet should be confidential?

That said, I am very concerned about the Yard Manager talking to other liveries about our situation. Surely what is discussed with the vet should be privy to only those involved and not the whole yard?
 
jinxyjester said:
That said, I am very concerned about the Yard Manager talking to other liveries about our situation. Surely what is discussed with the vet should be privy to only those involved and not the whole yard?
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That I do entirely agree with.

Time for a little chat with the YM....
 
Hi,

Do you mean that you do have a financial 'difficulty' at the moment?

I only ask as to why there would be an issue with regards to remarks a vet would make...

But, yes, anything told to any other 'third party' regarding your circumstances are confidential.

Certiainly bad practice, and very unprofessional, for anyone to make a comment to someone else.

Have you considered ringing the vet practice?

Perhaps this vet (wrongly or rightly) thought everyone knew.

Some people are not as considerate as others, regardless of any breach to confidentiality. Others simply don't stop to think.

If it were me, I would be contacting the practice to discuss this matter.

I imagine they wouldn't want to lose a client over what could be a misunderstanding, or a breach of any kind.

Ask the practice for their terms on privacy.

This vet may have known the person they were speaking to very well, and it may not have crossed their mind it was wrong to do what they were doing.

Talk to them. Good luck, and I hope any difficulty you may have is sorted for you soon.

Also, YM - are still just humans, and if they aspire to own a yard and see someone who does in difficulty, human behaviour seems to enjoy this.
 
Thank you so much to everybody who has responded to my enquiries and your help and adivice is gratefully accepted. I'm in a bit of a dilemma because the yard manager denies everything and as you might expect, the person who informed me is unwilling to go head to head with the yard manager because her young daughter is happy at the yard and is afraid she will be asked to leave if she causes any problems. Therefore, I'm not in a greatest position to confront the vet in question. I will, however, be asking the Vet for a copy of their "Confidentiality Policy".
 
Good for you.

I appreciate that no one wants to say anything which is understandable.

Things can get blown out of proportion through gossip as well (experienced that).

If you feel in the future insecure with this vets, I assume there are other vet practises in your area,you could always consider moving.

But I would certainly talk with them, non emotionally, just about your concerns over their adherence to their own policy.
You don't have to point fingers or accuse, the mere fact you bring such a conversation to them will cause them to think about things.

It's not nice being the 'focus' of gossip.
 
I am sympathetic, but I think worrying is only cause more angst, so I would let it go, just be careful what you say and to whom. Would it help your situation of you could get someone to share expenses or some other solution, I do not think you will ever be happy if you stay in this yard.
 
Recently the horse I share required the vet. The owners always leave the YO to deal with vet if they are out. As I happened to be at the yard when the vet arrived I held the horse (YO is injured). Horse needed some fairly intensive dental work however did comment to us both that it was unlikely that the would be doing it until owners had settled the debt they owed the vets! I was a bit :O that she had said it however I understand why as YO was attempting to arrange the next appointment etc. IMO unless you are out of country etc owners should be present for vets visits. These owners are hopeless however :(
 
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