Twenty seven practices join RSA referral network
The network includes teaching hospitals, independent practices, and corporate managed practices.
Twenty seven practices have joined the new RSA nationwide Preferred Pet Referral Network which is set to launch on December 16, 2015.
The insurance provider has confirmed that in the past 12 months, vets have directed over half of all RSA referral cases to these Network practices, which include teaching hospitals, independent practices, and corporate managed practices.
The company say that they expect more practices to join the Network 'in due course' and that they are 'actively engaged in discussions with a number of referral practices of varying size and scale, which have expressed interest in joining.'
When the network was announced earlier this year, RSA said that clients with 'non-emergency' cases would need to contact the RSA who would direct them to their list of 'preferred practices'.
The news prompted concern from the veterinary industry - a statement issued by the RCVS in June said that decisions about referrals 'remains for the veterinary surgeon to decide, following discussion and agreement with the client.'
They stressed that while pet insurers may maintain a list of preferred veterinary service providers, 'they should not take on the professional responsibility of the veterinary surgeon who has the animal under his/her care.'
Following meetings with representatives of the RSA, the BSAVA and the BVA, an agreement was reached to make the list of preferred referral practices freely available, in order to keep the decision making authority with vets and provide more flexibility and transparency in the referral process than the original proposals.
RSA Network practices have confirmed that their clinicians include 178 'specialists' as recognised by the RCVS, EBVS and AVMA, 49 diploma holders, and 71 advanced practitioners.
Bill Paton, RSA claims director for UK and Western Europe said: “We are delighted to have twenty seven practices from around the UK join our preferred referral network. This is a huge step forward and will enable us to continue to provide competitively priced insurance cover with access to the highest standards of veterinary treatment and care."
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
