Administration

Although the last department on this list, Administration is absolutely essential in the smooth running of the practice. The best staff in the world are no use at all if in the wrong place at the wrong time and unpaid!

This department looks after all of the staff in terms of their employment needs from recruitment to retirement. Salaries must be paid on time and expenses paid for staff development. The student nurses are organised to go to college. Occasionally a locum vet or nurse may be required to cover a busy period or the absence through ill health of a team member. Why there's even the Christmas party to organise!

The practice accounts need to be kept up to date - not an inconsiderable task in any business of this size. Invoices for equipment, drugs, services, advertising and maintenance have to be paid. Banking is organised and our friends at the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise kept happy. I'm afraid that you do have to pay VAT on your pet's health care needs!

All correspondence of the practice passes through the office, both in and out. This may be a referral case report to a veterinary surgeon or a reminder that your pet is due an important booster vaccination. We produce a regular practice newsletter, that we hope you enjoy - see the latest copy in our News section, and let us know if you would like to receive a copy.

In addition to all of this the practice operates from 5 buildings all of which need constant fettling to keep them functional. We also run several vehicles that need to be keep taxed and running. So all in all you can see that there is rarely a dull moment in the administration of a busy veterinary practice! Now meet the team.