Horrible experience after visiting regularly for three years. Avoid!
The original team are good doctors but on my last visit was seen by a completely incompetent new vet, with the whole experience sha... Read More
Horrible experience after visiting regularly for three years. Avoid!
The original team are good doctors but on my last visit was seen by a completely incompetent new vet, with the whole experience shambolic from start to finish. Came after renewing prescription for dry eye (diagnosed elsewhere while spending a few months abroad with my dog). Told this to the receptionist over the phone, told it to the vet. After bizarre 20 minutes in the room with him, where he neither talked nor gave any impression that he is listening to what I was saying (describing eye problems for at least 3 years, recent deterioration when I started running out of medication, my regular administration of a diagnostic test and its results etc). He then €attempted€ the test himself (attempted because he forgot he was timing it and after 23 seconds of his timer running, he still couldn€t fit it in the eye). Then he started coming in and out of the room multiple times without telling me why we were waiting and what was happening. In the end he said he can€t give me prescription because he doesn€t know how to do it! When I got to the reception the bill awaiting was a nasty surprise - 55 for: a) consultation (which I didn€t ask for, specifically stating that I just wanted to renew prescription; what consultation anyway? I already had the diagnosis; he didn€t talk to me at all), b) a test (which wasn€t administered properly and I would have happily done myself (told him I bought a box of these tests and had them with me) and c) prescription (which I wasn€t getting). When I complained to the receptionists, it came out how unpleasant they really are. Never thought they were particularly friendly, but when faced with a customer complaint, it was a whole new level; they kept repeating: €you booked a consultation!€ (incorrect), completely ignoring the more important issue € vet€s incompetence and my dissatisfaction with what exactly happened in the room. As this was happening, my dog released the button on his extendable lead and wandered behind the reception counter € to which one of them snapped at him! Really? Dog on a lead sneaking behind the counter in a pet surgery is such a problem?
I€ll also make it very clear: at no point did I refused to pay. I paid straightaway, but told them that I was shocked what I was paying for. The best bit comes after I got home! Got a voicemail about an hour later from the vet I saw, saying he changed his mind and actually ISN€T going to arrange the prescription because he doesn€t think it€s needed. Unless I present the notes from the vet abroad (which I did BTW. Why didn€t he ask while I was in the room??). But what if I didn€t have these notes? On basis of one meeting, where he struggled administering basic test, completely ignored the history of problems (3 years), description of recent deterioration, results of my regular testing and the fact that my dog WAS effectively on this medication (which will affect the test) - he decided that there is no need for further prescription. Moreover this specific medication is a lifetime commitment, not a quick fix (my test were confirming the ongoing problem every few weeks). If I relied on such incompetent, unprofessional advice, my dog would be at risk of going blind. So, no thanks Iffley Vets, will not be visiting again and will spread the word about this experience. Read Less