The Basics
From mid-February to mid-May we will have 12 weeks of continuous vet cover to ensure that lambing and calving is given as much support as possible.
For the rest of the year, we’ll have a group of experienced mixed practice vets rotating through Tiree, each spending either one or two weeks here at a time. We’re aiming to have no more than a week between vet visits, so you’ll never be without access to veterinary care for long.
When there’s no vet physically in Tiree, we will have telemedicine backup available 24/7. Between the on-site weeks and telemedicine coverage, we’re doing the best we can to ensure you always have professional veterinary support.
The surgery is in the same location – 19 Kenovay, PA77 6UU.
During Office Hours (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
Call 01879 552 101 and Hannah (our Practice Manager) will arrange your appointment, or connect you with the vet.
How Appointments Work
When a vet is physically in Tiree:
- Appointments available Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-12pm
- Ring the office and Hannah will book you in
- If you need to see the vet that day, ring as early as possible
When the vet isn’t here:
- Ring Hannah during office hours – she’ll either book you in for when the vet returns, or connect you with the vet by phone/video if it needs sorting sooner
Prescriptions: If you want a prescription dispensed the same day, your request must be in by 1pm. (Providing it is in stock)
Outside Normal Hours
Emergencies only, please.
- Emergency calls automatically forward to whichever vet is on duty – even if they’re not physically in Tiree.
- For livestock emergencies when the vet isn’t here: the vet will guide you or another crofter through what needs doing over the phone.
- For small animal emergencies between vet visits we can provide pain relief and arrange transfer to Oban if needed.
Medication requests: You can leave a message outside hours, but it won’t be dealt with until the office opens. If it’s urgent enough to need medication right now, it’s urgent enough to phone the emergency number.
How You’ll Know When a Vet is Here
- The app will show the current schedule
- Social media – we’ll be very clear about who’s here when
- Text reminders if you’ve got an appointment coming up
Membership
We are offering an optional Membership. This isn’t just about saving you money on consultations and prescriptions – it’s also about supporting the viability of the practice. The more members we have, the more stable and sustainable the service becomes for everyone.
The Backup Plan
We have a comprehensive emergency protocol covering what happens in every scenario – ferry cancellations, vet illness, you name it. It’s available on request, but the short version is: we’ve thought through every “what if” and there’s always a plan.
The key thing: you will always be able to reach a vet, even if they’re not physically in Tiree at that moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will you be serving Coll? Yes, our intention is to provide as close to the previous service as possible.
Access and Appointments
How do I get in touch with you? 01879 552 101
How will I know when a vet will be here? The information will be on the app, our website, and our Facebook page. We’ll keep the schedule updated and very clear about who’s here when.
Can I just turn up without an appointment? We will ask you to phone first. Even if the vet’s here, they might be out at a calving or already with another animal. Hannah will make you an appointment.
What if I need an appointment but the next vet isn’t here for a few days? Ring anyway. If it’s something that genuinely needs sorting before the vet’s back, we can arrange telemedicine. If it can wait, Hannah will book you in for when they return.
Medications and Prescriptions
Can I get wormer/dose when there’s no vet here? Yes, if the vet has seen your animals within the legal prescribing window and is happy to prescribe. Hannah can dispense it for you.
My dog’s on regular medication. Do I need to see the vet every time? No, but the vet does need to have examined your dog within the required timeframe to keep prescribing (usually 6-12 months depending on the medication). We’ll remind you when check-ups are due.
Emergencies
What counts as an emergency outside normal hours? Anything where the animal is in severe distress, bleeding heavily, unable to breathe properly, collapsed, or you genuinely think they might die. If you’re unsure, phone.
What if my cow’s calving at 2am and there’s no vet in Tiree? Phone the emergency number. The vet will talk you (or a neighbour with more experience) through it.
What if my dog/cat gets badly injured when there’s no vet here? Phone the emergency number immediately. We can provide pain relief. The vet will assess over the phone and tell you what to do.
About the Service
What about specialist pet care – eye problems, complex surgery, that sort of thing? For cases that need x-rays or specialist equipment, then we’ll refer you to Oban or Glasgow with all the notes, as was done previsouly.
Will the same vet see my animal each time? Probably not – you’ll see whichever vet is here that week. But they all have access to your animal’s records, and they all talk to each other. If continuity really matters for a particular case, we’ll try to schedule around the right vet being here.
Membership and Costs
Do I have to be a member? No, but members will get significant discounts on consultations and phone advice is included rather than charged separately. You’ll also be supporting the viability of the practice – the more members we have, the more sustainable the service becomes.
What if I’m not sure whether to join? Have a look at the membership information in your welcome pack. If you use the vet more than twice a year for consultations, or you want unlimited phone advice, membership will save you money. Plus you’re helping keep the practice viable.
Telemedicine
What can you actually do by telemedicine? Phone or video consultations where the vet can see your animal, ask questions, and provide advice. They can prescribe if they’ve seen the animal recently. They can’t do physical examinations or procedures, obviously.
How does a video consultation work? Usually WhatsApp video call or FaceTime. The vet will ask you to show them the animal, demonstrate the problem, answer questions. It works better than you’d think.
Will I be charged for telemedicine? Members get unlimited phone consultations included. Non-members pay £30 per consultation. Video consultations count the same as phone ones.