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Referral Process
Click here to see the step-by-step guide on how to get a referral
See Terms & Conditioners and Data Protection here
Veterinary Surgeons Exemptions Order (2015)
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Animals cared for or treated by musculoskeletal therapists must be registered with a veterinary surgeon and therapists are required to work under the direction of a qualified veterinary surgeon who has examined the animal and has prescribed physiotherapy as a treatment.
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​​Practitioners must be over the age of 18 ​
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The delegating veterinary surgeon should check for membership in a voluntary register with associated standards of education and conduct, supported by a disciplinary process.
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​​Musculoskeletal maintenance care for a healthy animal does not require delegation by a veterinary surgeon.
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​​However, the animal must still be registered with a veterinary surgeon.
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​​​Maintenance should cease and the animal must be referred back to the vet at the first sign that there may be any underlying injury, disease or pathology.
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​The client will also sign a formal consent to allow the therapist to disclose any concerns to the veterinary surgeon that has their animal under their care.​​
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​​A musculoskeletal assessment does not require a referral, only the treatment of an existing condition, however as the therapist will aim to treat in the same session as the assessment, a referral will be required.
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​​If the animal presents with an abnormality, lameness or condition within a session that hasn't been mentioned by the referring veterinary surgeon, the therapist will cease all treatments until the animal has been seen by a vet
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For more information: RCVS - Physiotherapy Regulations
Step 1
1.1) Contact Tails Therapy for a free of charge phone consultation to discuss yours and your animal friends needs.
1.2) Check your insurance documents to see if it covers veterinary physiotherapy under vet fees or as a limited complementary treatment.
Step 2
2.1) Contact your vet to discuss physiotherapy and discuss the referral process with them. Most practices will charge a small referral fee due to the admin time required to complete a referral.
2.2) Discuss the process of claiming physiotherapy on your insurance with your vets.
Step 3
3.1) Complete the referral form via the download link and give this to your vet to complete, this then needs to be emailed to tailstherapy@outlook.com alongside any relevant clinical notes.
(There is an online referral form option available to be completed by your vet if preferred to PDF, once completed an owner consent form will also be emailed directly to the owner to complete prior to any appointments)
3.2) Go to the booking page to request an appointment, or contact tailstherapy@outlook.com. Payment via bank transfer is required by the day of the appointment.
Do I always need a referral?
If your animal has no musculoskeletal conditions which require rehabilitation and they only require maintenance treatment, you do NOT require a referral. However, your animal is still required to be registered with a vet, and you will be required to complete a maintenance request consent form to confirm you're happy for the practitioner to communicate any findings with your vet if they believe a vet visit is required.
What to be aware of during treatment.
If at any point during a course of treatment your animal presents with a new lameness, injury or pathology. It is required by law for your animal to see a vet prior to any further treatments taking place. The practitioner will require an email from your vet to confirm they are happy for treatment to continue.
If your animal receives musculoskeletal surgery, the practitioner will require a new referral from your vet outlining the procedure, their plan and any images and notes relevant to their surgery. The first session after any surgery may require an initial consultation appointment regardless of whether your animal has been seen previously. Contact Tails Therapy to discuss.
See full terms & conditions.
