Admission and hospital stay
Here you can find details of what to expect during your horse's admission and stay at the hospital.
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival, you will be met by a member of the veterinary clinical team (either a veterinary surgeon or a veterinary nurse) and a veterinary student who will review your horse’s history with you. Client communication is one key part of student training and the students appreciate being able to speak to clients about their horses.
The senior veterinary surgeons (resident or senior clinician) will then discuss the suggested plan for your horse, following initial assessment. If your horse is unlikely to wait calmly on your transport, please let the reception team know on arrival so we can arrange for them to be unloaded as soon as possible.
It is important that you give us as much information as possible about your horse. Especially if they are averse to any procedures (e.g. clippers, needles), or if there is anything else we need to know, including if they are due to be competing under regulations imminently.
Who are the clinical team taking care of my horse?
Your horse will be cared for by a team of veterinary surgeons 24 hours a day, supported by a team of veterinary nurses, technicians and administrative staff.
The veterinary team on each service, including during out-of-hours, consists of junior veterinary surgeons (interns), experienced equine veterinary surgeons undergoing specialist training (residents) and specialist veterinary surgeons (senior clinicians). Although personnel in the hospital and on a particular hospital service may change from week to week, a resident and senior clinician will always be overseeing veterinary care of your horse.
Can I leave my trailer or lorry in the car park when I drop my horse off?
Unfortunately, vehicles or trailers can’t be left overnight in the car park.
My horse is being admitted for a surgical procedure - when will this take place?
Unless your horse is visiting us for an emergency procedure, or same day surgery is specifically stated, surgical procedures, particularly those under general anaesthesia, will not occur the day of admission. This decision is based on patient safety data.
Some procedures performed under standing sedation may take place on the same day and some horses may be discharged the same day depending on the nature of the treatment and veterinary aftercare. Most non-emergency surgical procedures requiring a general anaesthetic (where your horse is fully asleep) will take place the day after admission.
In some circumstances (e.g. if a horse requires a period of fasting prior to surgery, or if further evaluations are required before surgery can be performed), surgery may occur at a later date. You will be advised of this either before admission or once your horse has undergone initial evaluation at the hospital. Please be advised that the hospital admits many emergency cases. If the hospital becomes particularly busy with emergency procedures including surgeries, elective procedures may be postponed to ensure the safety of your horse is prioritised.
When will I receive updates on my horse’s progress?
You will receive an update on your horse every weekday, usually in the early evening, but this time may vary. Our veterinary team may be busy dealing with daily cases so your update may occasionally be as late as 8pm if your horse is stable and no urgent updates are required. At weekends, the duty team are often busy dealing with emergency cases and need to prioritise patient checks and treatments, so routine updates for non-critical cases may not be possible.
If you are concerned that you have not received an expected update, or if you wish to speak to a vet during the weekend please call us +44 (0)151 794 6041 and the out-of-hours answering service will take your details. Please note for the reasons outlined, there may be a delay before a member of the team can call you back.
When will imaging or test results be reported?
Timings will vary depending on the imaging or test performed and will be discussed with you at the time of your horse’s admission. Images from horses that undergo advanced imaging such as MRI or CT may require additional time for in-depth, full evaluation and reporting of the findings and therefore results may not be available for up to 72 hours.
When can I visit my horse?
Our visiting hours are:
- Monday – Friday: 3-6pm
- Weekends and Bank Holidays: 10am-12 noon and 2-4pm.
In exceptional circumstances (e.g. very sick horses), we can organise visits outside these times but this needs to be arranged with the clinical team in charge of your horse’s care.
Visiting your horse
If you plan to visit your horse, please contact the reception team on +44 (0)151 794 6041. Please be aware that whilst the veterinary team will always try to update you in person this may not always be possible.
On arrival, please report to reception. Please do not go straight to your horse's stable.
If reception is not open, please contact the duty veterinary team using the telephone in the reception lobby.
My horse’s vaccinations/teeth rasping/hoof trimming is due. Can I have this done at the hospital?
Unfortunately, we are not able to carry out routine procedures unless they relate directly to the reason for your horse’s visit.
If, in exceptional cases, your horse remains in hospital for several weeks, vaccines and hoof trimming may be required during their stay. If this is the case, please let the team know.