What our clients say
Welcome To St Runwald's Veterinary Surgery
Update 2nd October 2020
Dear Client,
It has been several months since l last gave any updates on how we are continuing to provide a service at St. Runwalds in face of the difficult times posed by Covid-19. Our goal is to continue to provide a daily service, fulfilling the needs of our patients whilst protecting our clients, staff and colleagues alike. This means currently (light and weather permitting) we will continue to consult in our car park. We appreciate this puts extra strain on day-to-day events, not just through you not being able to accompany your pet inside, but also on us as the protocol necessitates the allowance of a longer period of time being allocated to each consultation. Our consulting periods have been extended but we cannot accommodate the number of appointments we are faced with whilst adhering to social distancing. Hence, l am asking for your patience and understanding in this matter hoping you can appreciate that we are doing our best as daily pressures through the nature of the conditions we treat are unpredictable. We are also trying to catch up on routine boosters that were not permitted during lockdown. There is some leeway on the due date a vaccination falls and if you are concerned that an appointment cannot be made when your booster is due, then one of our nurses will speak to you and advise you after consulting with a vet. Obviously overdue vaccinations may take precedence and other factors like your pets general health and lifestyle will be considered.
We are limiting the number of annual vaccinations we carry out each day so that appointments are available for emergencies and sick pets to be seen and given help.
The waiting room area and reception areas have been adapted for one-way flow with specific spacing marked on the floor between chairs so that in exceptional cases you may wait inside. We continue to allow you to attend inside with your pet at sensitive times. In these situations, regrettably, only ONE person will be allowed inside and a face mask covering your nose and mouth must be worn. Hand sanitisation/washing of hands is also mandatory. In the event you may be permitted into a consulting room, we will be taking your temperature with an infrared thermometer and if you have a temperature above normal then access will be denied.
Please note our preferred method of payment is by card and we are now taking payments at the front door, after your pet’s consultation. Currently we are assessing each request for a house visit as they arise and in the event we attend at your home, we respectfully request that the visit be conducted in your garden, again with face masks please and social distancing.
All medical and surgical services are again currently available unless guidelines from the Royal College instruct us otherwise.
If you are shielding or self-isolating please let us know, by working together we can be better informed on how to do the best for your pet but keep everyone safe. Equally, if you have returned from a country where you are required to quarantine for 14 days it is imperative you do not attend the practice.
There may well be teething problems as new safety measures are implemented but by helping us in observing guidelines you ensure we stay open and here for you. If you need to enter the building please don’t be offended by some of the questions you may be asked to answer; such as are you well? Have you a continuous cough? Have you suffered a change or loss to your sense of smell or taste?
We would like to make you aware of our participation in the government Track and Trace Scheme for monitoring Covid-19 cases, as detailed on the government website. Therefore, if you are in reception waiting for an appointment, we ask you, upon entering the practice, to scan the Track and Trace barcode, which is situated on the sanitisation station at the front door. (Please note this is only for the limited number of clients who have a need to be waiting within the practice.)
It is imperative that the consult time is kept to the designated period of 10 minutes; this is so there is continuous flow through the waiting room and contact time controlled.
We are trying to be versatile and understanding of how not everyone feels comfortable either in the car park or coming inside. Please however understand the way we consult at the time of your visit may have to be adapted in light of the pressures on the practice that day, given the cases we are presented with over which we have little control.
We are grateful for at least 48hrs notice for prescriptions and food orders. These will continue to be left on the table outside when you have called us to inform us you are here to collect them. Where possible we continue to ask if medications and food could be collected between 10am – 2pm & 4pm – 5pm weekdays.
Finally, thank you to everyone who has expressed their gratitude to us for our continued care of their beloved pets and to everyone who has been patient when appointments have over run. Human kindness has also been evident on occasion when you have allowed fellow clients to be seen in front of yourselves, recognising their need was more urgent given the symptoms their pet displayed.
Stay safe everyone.
From Anita and everyone at St Runwalds.
Clarifying The Position On Whether You Should Keep Your Cat Indoors
Please note the BVA (British Veterinary Association) have released the a statement on this topic which you can read by visiting their website here.
Calling all rabbit owners!
We are aware that, at this time of year, the risk of myxomatosis and haemorrhagic disease to your rabbit is very high.
We would therefore like you to be aware that we will be carrying out routine rabbit vaccinations as normal. Please call reception to book your appointment.
A Thank You
I would like everyone to know how grateful we all are to receive your continued emails, many with kind words to say about the work we are doing and that you are pleased we are here for you.
Personally l am also touched by those who have sent me messages directly, some of you who sadly no longer have a pet that we once cared for, have taken the time to wish us well in this difficult period. It has been a nostalgic trip of memories that return like yesterday.
Thank you also to everyone for their understanding. Each day is presenting new challenges, not just for us, but for everyone, no matter what their role is in helping make a difference. The support we have been shown is helping us immensely as we evolve to meet what we are facing.
I hope we can look forward to happier times ahead when we can engage with you and your pets as we would normally,
Yours, Anita.
St. Runwald’s is a vets in Colchester owned by Anita James MRCVS since 1996.
Our professional team is committed to providing quality veterinary care and treatment to your pet, who we consider to be a member of your family.
We hope you enjoy browsing our website, which includes details of our surgery hours and services plus some useful pet care links that are free to access whenever you need to.
Register your pet
New clients: simply complete our online registration form and click submit to send your details to us.
Out of hours emergencies
Our designated emergency service can be contacted by calling Vets Now on 01206 842224 (after 6.30pm weekdays and after 12.30pm on Saturdays)
In case of a house visit being required please give as much notice as possible.
Thinking of getting a pet?
We can offer a free of charge ‘pre-pet’ appointment with a qualified nurse for you to discuss any queries or questions you may have concerning your new pet.
