rcvs news - professionals · examinations (osces) across europe, endorsing the rcvs format as a...

R C V S N E W STHE NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS NOVEMBER 2008

he new RCVS Register of Veterinary Practice Premises opened for new registrationson 1 November, allowing all those who wish to supply medicines from veterinarypractice premises from 1 April 2009 onwards a full five months to comply with the

latest medicines legislation.

In order to fulfil its obligations under European law to maintain and improve traceabilityof, and accountability for, veterinary medicines, the UK Government decided thatany veterinary surgeon may only supply veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) frompremises registered with the Secretary of State, with effect from 1 April 2009.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is responsible for the inspection andregistration of practices under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. Steve Dean,VMD’s Chief Executive, says the new Register will complete the UK information baseby bringing veterinary practices into line with other suppliers of veterinary medicineswho already have to operate from registered premises. “Regulation is all aboutcontrolling risk to human health, animal health and the environment,” he says.

The Register will enable the supply of veterinary medicines by veterinary surgeons,including controlled drugs, to be inspected and verified. As a result, DEFRAMinisters and the European Commission can be re-assured that veterinary medicinesare being supplied in the UK in accordance with EC legislation.

In discussion with the VMD, we agreed that the RCVS would be the most appropriatebody to maintain this Register, not least because we already manage the RCVSPractice Standards Scheme and publish the (voluntary) Directory of VeterinaryPractices, and so have the necessary systems in place. We will publish the Registeron RCVSonline and update it quarterly.

Whilst there will now be a statutory fee levied for each practice premises on the newRegister, our existing database framework means we have been able to set this at arelatively low £40 compared to what other bodies might have had to charge afterstarting from scratch. Practices could appear in the Directory for free because thecost of producing it was partially covered by subsequent data sales. However, the newRegister will need to be self-funding, as the data it contains will be freely availableonline and will require more proactive and frequent checking.

Not all practices will have to pay extra, however, as RCVS President Jill Nuteexplains: “For those practice premises already accredited under the RCVS Practice

continued on page 2

T

Practice PremisesRegister opensRegister your premises by 1 April 2009

In this issue: 24/7 research, new Trust Director,Corporate Governance, what are premises?,PSS standards review, OFT on prescription charging,

SQP status, EMS review, PI report and DC hearings.

“Regulation is all aboutcontrolling risk to humanhealth, animal health andthe environment.”

n June, Council requested the establishment ofa Corporate Governance Group to address issues

of transparency and openness by considering ourexisting provisions and best practice elsewhere.

The Group is chaired by Sir Anthony Holland(pictured), recently-retired chairman of theStandards Board for England, which overseeshow local authorities promote and improve theethical behaviour of their members.

The Group submitted a report to Council on6 November, which highlighted that, “as theguardian of the good standing of theprofession,” Council must be scrupulous interms of its governance, in order to “commandthe respect and trust of the public and theprofession”. In addition, it said, there was alegal imperative arising from the fact thatmany of our statutory and public functionscan be challenged in the courts, for example,on the basis of alleged bias or abuse ofprocess. It was also noted that, as a public

body, the College is subject to the Freedom ofInformation Act.

The immediate need was to consider Declarationsof Interest (DoI), including guidance andtraining to recognise potential conflicts, moni-toring of compliance and future sanctions.In delivering the report, Sir Anthony said thatthe present arrangements were perfectlycompetent to deal with issues as they arosebut that compliance was an area of concern.The report’s recommendations focused onimproving compliance and offering guidanceto Council members and others to ensure theywere aware of their responsibilities to act inaccordance with the Nolan Principles onStandards in Public Life, which includeselflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability,openness, honesty and leadership.

Sir Anthony said that the Group was sympatheticto the fact that, in a relatively small profession,there was a limited pool of experts and thatconflicts of interest may occur. He stressed acommon-sense approach, regularly-updateddeclarations and absolute transparency.He explained the legal position, based on caselaw, and advised that a successful challengewould need to demonstrate actual bias.

Following debate, recommendations agreed byCouncil included:• DoI should be submitted by all those servingon Council and Council Committees

• The current provisions in the Council andCommittee Members’ Handbook should bereformulated as a Code of Conduct, whichshould be made available to all those standingfor election or offered an appointment to siton Council or its Committees

• DoI should be updated by reporting anychanges at meetings, and published onRCVSonline, along with photographs andprofiles of Council members

• All DoI should be made available at Councilmeetings, together with a copy of the Codeand constitutional information

• Specific powers should be brought in tosuspend from Committee membership thosein breach of the Code; there being no powerto make such a suspension from Council, a‘name and shame’ policy was suggested

• The system would be self-monitoring, butthere was no compulsion for Councilmembers to ‘whistle-blow’ on each other

• The Officer team should take forward theserecommendations and the existing Groupshould continue for a year to advise andadjudicate on any breaches of the Code

The Group’s recommendations, together withthe Code of Conduct, can be read in fullonline www.rcvs.org.uk/councilandcommittees.

I

Anything to declare?Recommendations from the new Corporate Governance Group

NEWS

2 RCVS NEWS - NOVEMBER 2008

“Council must be scrupulousin terms of its governance, inorder to ‘command the respectand trust of the public’.”

Standards Scheme (PSS), the new statutoryfee will be taken from their existing PSSannual fee,” she says. “What’s more, accreditedpractices will not face additional four-yearlyinspections by VMD inspectors (unless thereis an investigation for enforcement purposes)as the VMD is confident that the Scheme’sstandards will more than meet its needs – savingmore money and, potentially, some stress.”

Practice premises that have applied to jointhe Scheme, but have not yet beenaccredited, will not face additional VMDinspections either, but will still need to paythe statutory registration fee.

To help practices understand the newrequirements and what they need to do beforenext April, we have produced a range ofguidance, including a series of FrequentlyAsked Questions, available atwww.rcvs.org.uk/premisesregister.

“In particular, we hope this guidance will helpto explain which premises are likely to beconsidered ‘veterinary practice premises’[which will need to be registered] and thedifference between those premises and placeswhere medicines might simply be stored orkept,” says Mrs Nute.

“It is important to realise that there is a legalrequirement to register veterinary practicepremises for the supply of medicines, and aprofessional obligation, set out in the Guide toProfessional Conduct, to keep a record ofwhere all medicines are stored or kept. Thisrecord should avoid the need for additional

registration of car boots, farms and homes.”(See table on page 6 for additional guidance.)

We have recently posted application forms toall practices currently listed in the Directoryand accredited under the PSS, containing allthe practice information currently held. Theform for PSS members also asks for details ofany non-accredited premises with which thepractice is associated that might need to beregistered. These might include charity premisesfrom which medicines are prescribed andsupplied, or premises for which the practiceprovides the authority for the wholesale purchaseof medicines. These forms must be checked,signed and returned, even if no fee is due.

Separate application forms are available forany non-accredited practice premises notpublished in the Directory, and we have writtento all RCVS members to ensure the wholeprofession is aware of the new requirements.

Practice premises register opens - continued from page 1

“We hope this guidance will helpto explain which premises arelikely to be considered‘veterinary practice premises’.”

RCVS NEWS - NOVEMBER 2008 3

NEWS

t the end of October, the RCVS hosted theinaugural meeting for a project that aims to

develop a Pan-European Practical AssessmentSystem (PEPAS) for veterinary nurses. An EU-fundedproject, PEPAS involves eight countries and will helpto develop standards for Objective Structured ClinicalExaminations (OSCEs) across Europe, endorsing theRCVS format as a model. It will also enable us tofurther develop the bank of practical tasks availableto UK examiners. The next step will be for UKexaminers to train their European counterparts atthree sessions next year, which will be held inDenmark, Slovenia and Ireland.

PEPAS launchEuropean practical standards for VNs

he Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) hasincluded veterinary surgeons on its

recommended list of occupations for which thereis a shortage of skilled workers in the UK.

The list will be used in Tier 2 of the newPoints Based System that relates to theimmigration of skilled workers from outsidethe European Economic Area (EEA). Underthis scheme, employers who are licensedsponsors can bring in migrant workers fromoutside the EEA to fill vacancies in thoseoccupations listed. The MAC’s lists arerecommendations to Government; it is up toGovernment whether or not to accept them.

Although we welcome the inclusion, as theUK profession relies on overseas veterinarysurgeons to fill gaps, in reality, it’s businessas usual. The veterinary profession has beenlisted by the Home Office as a Skills ShortageOccupation for a number of years. All veterinary

surgeons wishing to practise in the UK, regard-less of their nationality or country of residence,must either hold a qualification recognised byus for the purposes of registration, or havepassed our Statutory MembershipExamination, and be registered with us.

VN solution closer to homeMeanwhile, the MAC decided not to addveterinary nursing to the list. Although itaccepted that the occupation is skilled and thatpractices have some trouble filling vacancies,it felt that the solution could be closer tohome: “We consider that there are alternativesfor filling shortages other than by employingimmigrants, such as improving advertising,increasing pay and addressing a mismatch inexpectations between college-trained nursesand practices,” advised the Committee.

President Jill Nute backed the recommendation:“Our Survey of the Veterinary NursingProfession 2008 highlights the fact that manynurses are dissatisfied with their salarypackage and although it is not the role of theRCVS to intervene in remuneration issues,I endorse the conclusion that employers ofveterinary nurses should look to improverecruitment and retention through addressingdomestic issues before looking overseas.”

The need for advertising to be improved wasfurther endorsed by a recent investigationfrom the Sector Skills Council, Lantra, intothe recruitment of qualified veterinary nurses(www.lantra.co.uk). Lantra looked at advertsfor qualified veterinary nurses in VeterinaryTimes during 2007 and conducted follow-upinterviews with a sample of the practices. Itconcluded, among other things, that morecould be done to improve the quality andquantity of information contained in the adverts.

Doors still open to migrant vetsVeterinary ‘skills shortage’ listing continues

T

A

“Employers of veterinary nursesshould look to improverecruitment and retention throughaddressing domestic issues.”

Facts and figures

• Over the last five years, an average of55% of new veterinary registrations havebeen from overseas graduates – an averageof 702 per year

• Less than 40% of these have been fromoutside the European Economic Area

• According to the 2006 Survey of theProfession, only 1% of registeredveterinary surgeons was unemployed – afigure that’s been consistent for theprevious six years

Vicky Hedges (right), VN Exam andHigher Education Quality Manager,demonstrating the OSCE system

President Jill Nute welcomes those who havepassed the Statutory Membership Examination


NEWS

Feeling fleet of foot?

Guidance for VNs returning to Registerew guidance has been developed for Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs)undergoing the Period of Supervised Practice (PSP). Veterinary nurses

who have been off the Register for a period of five years or more are requiredto practise under the supervision of either a veterinary surgeon or an RVNfor a 17-week period. This would normally take place in either a TrainingPractice or one accredited as either a General Practice or Hospital.

The objective of the PSP is to ensure that VNs have the opportunity toupdate their knowledge and skills under the mentorship and supervisionof other registered practitioners.

Guidance developed by the VN Continuing Education Subcommitteewas approved at the recent meeting of the VN Council and will beavailable on RCVSonline in the New Year. It includes tips on gettingstarted, self-evaluation, planning and record-keeping, helpful checkliststo assist in the evaluation process and an action plan template. Thereis also a section for mentors and practices employing PSP VNs.

“No formal assessment is required at the end of the PSP,” highlightsLibby Earle, Head of Veterinary Nursing. “This is because as soon as theyrejoin the Register, VNs are trusted professional practitioners and theonus is on them to ensure their skills and knowledge are up-to-date.”

Plans are also being developed to offer VNs completing the PSP theoption of taking a Return to Veterinary Nursing Practice course, leadingto a Certificate in Current Veterinary Nursing Practice. The course timecommitment is likely to be 100 hours.

N

Support for back-to-work VNsQuarter of a million to be awarded

he RCVS Trust launched its 2009 grants round in October, featuring acomprehensive and expanded range of research and animal welfare

programmes. Offering five programmes this year, including Blue Skyresearch, Travel Scholarships and Small Grants, the Trust is expecting torelease over £250,000 next March.

Cherry Bushell, Director of the Trust, says: “We continue to investstrategically in high quality research and animal welfare work. We havemade the application process simple and accessible, and we encouragepotential applicants to contact us with any queries.”

Full details of the individual programmes, including regulations andapplications forms, can be found on the Trust’s website (www.rcvstrust.org.uk)or requested from the Trust Office (020 7202 0741).

T

Trust opens 2009 grants round

Grant programme Available funds Closing date

Blue Sky Research Up to £10,000 5pm, 21/1/09

EMS Vacation Research Scholarships Up to £1,000 5pm, 31/3/09

Small Grants Programme Up to £5,000 5pm, 21/1/09

Spencer-Hill Equipment Grants Up to £5,000 5pm, 21/1/09

Travel Scholarships Up to £1,000 5pm, 21/1/09

hile the RCVS Trust is celebrating itsGolden Jubilee this year, it continues to

look ahead to ever-more exciting and challengingfundraising campaigns. In so doing, it hasmanaged to squeeze a much-coveted place outof the London Marathon organisers for nextyear’s race, to be held on 26 April 2009.

What better way to spend a Sunday morningthan to partake in a little light exercise, takein the sights of our wonderful capital cityand raise money for the RCVS Trust, cheeredon by thousands of well-wishers and admirersalong the way?

So, if you would be interested in pounding outthe 26.2 miles of the most famous marathoncourse in the world, and raising the minimumof £1,500 in aid of this worthy cause, pleasecontact the good people in the RCVS Trustoffice (020 7202 0743 [email protected]).As always, the Trust will be on hand to offerlots of support with your fundraising efforts,along with plenty of encouragement duringyour training.

W

Pic

ture

cour

tesy

:Th

eFl

ora

Lond

onM

arat

hon

o you think the College’s activities anddecisions have too much impact on your

professional life? Does the general public needto be more aware of the College’s existence?Do you think we should be doing things differently?Do you care about the future of your profession?

Challenging questions, perhaps, but answer‘yes’ to one or more of them and you mightwant to consider putting yourself in CouncilMembers’ shoes by standing for election toRCVS Council.

Whilst we can’t promise you worldwide‘Obamamania’, your election to Council wouldnevertheless give you the chance to have a directimpact on the day-to-day work of the Collegeand its endeavours to uphold and maintainpublic confidence in the veterinary profession.

Nominations must be received by 31 January2009. See www.rcvs.org.uk/nominations forfull details.

Trust picks new Director

e are pleased to welcome Cherry Bushellto the RCVS Trust as its new Director.

She brings 16 years’ experience in fundraisingand charity management, having held develop-ment posts at the Royal Society of Arts, children’smedical research charity, Sparks, and MacmillanCancer Support. Most recently, she has been afreelance consultant and interim manager atlone-parent support charity, Gingerbread, andthe Mental Health Foundation.

“Cherry joins the Trust at an exciting time, asit celebrates its Golden Jubilee,” commentedRegistrar Jane Hern, “I have every confidencethat she will be able to steer the Trust forwardinto a new period of exciting development”.

In recent times, the Trust has persuaded fund-raisers to walk over hot coals, jump out of planesand run for their lives – but we hope Cherrydoesn’t fear for what her initiation may bring…

WExperienced fundraiser to lead the team


NEWS

Share Joneslecturerhe Share Jones lecturer for 2009 hasbeen announced. Dr Sue Dyson, Head of

Clinical Orthopaedics at the Centre forEquine Studies at the Animal Health Trust,will deliver a lecture entitled: ‘Looking andseeing: the art of lameness diagnosis’.

The Share Jones lectureship is bestowedbiennially upon a lecturer of special note inveterinary anatomy in honour of John ShareJones, founder of the Liverpool School ofVeterinary Medicine.

The lecture will be held at the University ofNottingham in November 2009 – look outfor more details in the June 2009 issue.

T

Prescriptionchargesince 31 October, vets have again beenallowed to charge for writing

prescriptions, following the end of a three-year ban. Such charges need to bereasonable. Practices must not chargedifferent fees for other services or veterinarymedicines to those who take a prescriptionand those who do not. It is also illegal forveterinary surgeons to discuss prices theymay charge amongst themselves.

For background to the ban and what ithoped to achieve, together with new RCVSguidance, see feature on page 10.

S

Age-barrierremovedhe lower age limit for student VNs –previously set at 17 – has been removed,

in order to comply with age discriminationlegislation. The entry requirements areunchanged: five GSCEs at grade C or higher,or five Scottish Standards at grades one tothree (including English Language, Mathsand a Science subject). Candidates mustalso have a place with an RCVS-approvedTraining Practice or on a recognisedveterinary nursing degree course.

T

Practice Standards reviewhen the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS)was launched in 2005, a commitment was

made that the standards would not change forfive years unless new legislation required it.A review is now underway, with the new standardsplanned for publication in 2010.

Under the chairmanship of President Jill Nute,the Practice Standards Group has a programmeof meetings during which the standards willbe reviewed section by section. The Groupcomprises representatives from all of the keyveterinary organisations – including those forVNs and practice managers. If you have anycomments on the standards, please eitherfeed them to the Group via your membershiporganisation, or contact the RCVS directly on020 7202 0720 or [email protected].

W

D

Standard issue

Thinking about joining the Scheme? Facing aninspection? If you live in South Wales, you cansign up for one of our free Practice Standards‘surgery’ sessions on 27 November in Cardiff,and seek guidance directly from the team – seepage 14 for more details. More PSS surgeryevents will be announced soon, or call us foradvice: 020 7202 0767.

“If I was in their shoes…”

arlier this year we reported that a newWorking Party (WP) had set to work on

revising our guidance to assist veterinarysurgeons and veterinary nurses giving evidencein court (RCVS News, March 2008).

Some six months on, the WP members (whichincluded veterinary surgeons and lawyers)recently emerged from their locked room,blinking in the daylight and clutching a newand improved annex to the RCVS Guide toProfessional Conduct. Following Councilapproval of the new guidance at itsNovember meeting, the old annex will be

replaced on RCVSonline in the nearfuture (www.rcvs.org.uk/guide).

The aim of the guidance is toexplain the differences betweenfactual and opinion evidenceand the responsibilities

associated with acting as a factual or expertwitness. It also deals with specific issues

that can arise when professionals are askedto give factual evidence, but, in view oftheir qualifications, might also be askedfor their professional opinion on the factualevidence given. Such witnesses cansometimes be referred to as ‘professionalwitnesses’ although no such category existsin court terms.

The principles outlined in the annex are alsoapplicable to both tribunals and arbitrationsso will be useful for anyone giving evidencein the context of legal proceedings.

While the guidance provides much information,largely in a Question & Answer format, it is abrief and basic summary (albeit some ninepages long!). Nevertheless, it does provideuseful links and references to various websitesfor additional information. Those veterinarysurgeons and nurses who provide expertwitness evidence should be familiar withrelevant practice directions from the courts.


ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

Lining up for inspection

e hope you didn’t miss our front page storyabout the need for practice premises to

be registered by 1 April 2009 so that veterinarysurgeons can continue to supply veterinarymedicines from there.

But it might mean more than just registeringyour practice. What about your home or car?As a general rule, if there is no registeredpractice premises at which to record storeskept at a house, the premises to whichmedicines are delivered should be registeredin their own right.

If medicines are stored in a vehicle there isno need to register it as ‘premises’, but thevehicle should be recorded at a registeredveterinary practice premises.

The table below gives guidance on whichpremises where veterinary medicines mightbe found should be registered with us. Forspecific queries, please contact our RegistrationDepartment on 020 7202 0744 / 07 [email protected]

� = Needs to be registered� = No need to register, but must be

recorded at registered practice premises.

NB In either case, other legislation andprofessional obligations relating to medicinesremain applicable.

Check if your home needs to be registered with us

W

E

Premises where medicines are stored and…

veterinary services are provided �

they are advertised as a practice �

they are open to members of the public to bring in animals for veterinarytreatment and care �

they are not open to the public but a base from which a vet practises or providesveterinary services to more than one client �

delivered wholesale on the authority of one or more vets in the practice �

Home where medicines are stored and…

the stock is for use as part of 24/7 emergency cover �

the home is the practice premises or a base for practice �

the stock is a small quantity and not for supply �

Charity/business premises where medicines are stored…

in small quantities for later prescription by you or colleagues from your practice �

and which are open to members of the public to bring in animals for veterinarytreatment and care �

and which are not open to the public but are a base from which a vet practises orprovides veterinary services to more than one client �

and to which the medicines are delivered wholesale on the authority of one or more vets �

Taking thestand

New guidance for witnesses

hen a veterinary surgeon is asked by a newclient to conduct a pre-purchase examination

(PPE) on a horse belonging to an existing client,how can a conflict of interest be avoided?

The PPE is an accepted method of assessinga horse, carried out at the request of apotential purchaser to determine, so far aspossible by clinical examination, whether theanimal is suitable for the intended use.It provides an indication, not a guarantee.

The guidance set out in the RCVS Guide toProfessional Conduct (Part 2E, ‘Examinationson behalf of a third party’) alreadyrecommends that the vendor’s veterinarysurgeon should not carry out the PPE, butconcedes that for various reasons, they maystill be asked to do so. In such circumstances,the guidance states that the danger of aconflict of interest must be avoided byensuring that:

a. the purchaser is made aware that thevendor is also a client and has no objection

b. the vendor agrees to permit the disclosureof anything relevant in the case history (ifpermission cannot be obtained then thevendor's veterinary surgeon should not act)

c. it is made clear to both parties that in thisinstance the veterinary surgeon is acting onbehalf of the purchaser and thatinformation derived from the examination isconfidential to the purchaser alone

However, following a request from the BritishEquine Veterinary Association (BEVA) toexpand on this guidance, Advisory Committeerecently produced a new Advice Note, whichCouncil has just approved.

The new Advice Note seeks to set out theexisting guidance in more detail, and toexplore the professional conduct issues thatmay arise if both the vendor and the personseeking the PPE are clients of the sameveterinary surgeon or practice. It highlightssome of the common pitfalls in thesesituations, such as breaching clientconfidentiality, disclosure ofrecords (of existing conditions),relevance of information anddisclosure of findings, andhighlights the safeguards thatshould be put in placebeforehand.

Advisory Committeealso noted theargument that itwas preferable forthe veterinarysurgeonconducting thePPE to haveaccess to theclinical historyof the horse, as

a potential way to minimise the risk ofunexpected post-purchase problems. It agreedto set up a working party to review RCVSguidance in this area.

BEVA’s guidance on conducting PPEs isavailable at www.beva.org.uk/node/399 andthe new RCVS Advice Note can bedownloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk/advicenotes.

ouncil has approved a number of changesto the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct

throughout the year, about which we have notifiedveterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses throughthese pages and on RCVSonline. However, as2008 draws to a close, we thought it would beuseful to provide an at-a-glance summary.

The changes have been incorporated into theonline version of the Guide and will be set outin the next update sheet, to be posted tomembers early next year as an insert to the2008 edition. The online Guide to ProfessionalConduct for Veterinary Nurses will be updatedto include amendments made to the veterinarysurgeon Guide.

If you would like to review the changes madeto the Guide since 2001, please visitwww.rcvs.org.uk/guidechanges, where you candownload each set of annual changes or allthose made in the last eight years.

ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

W

C

Avoiding conflicts of interest with PPEs

Guide changes at a glance


New Advice Note offers guidance

What’s new Where to find it

From 31 October 2008, a reasonable chargemay be made for written prescriptions

A veterinary surgeon must not discriminate betweenclients supplied with a prescription, and those whoare not, in relation to fees charged

Part 1D – Your responsibilities to your clients

Registration of Practice Premises – description oflegal requirements and professional obligations

Part 2H – The use of veterinary medicinalproducts (see articles on page 1, 2 and 6)

Euthanasia without consent Part 2D – Maintaining practice standards

Guidance for veterinary surgeons and veterinarynurses giving evidence in court

Part 3, Annex m – Professional witness(see article on facing page)

Removal of references to BSAVA and BVHApractice standards

Part 2D – Maintaining practice standards

Replacing ‘State Veterinary Service’with ‘Animal Health’

Part 2E – Running the business

Additional links and information on the types ofdog that may be docked (Regulations in Englandand Wales) Tail Docking (dogs)

Part 3, Annex r – Tail-docking (dogs)

You stood up and wecounted you…Progress with the VN Register

ast September, we urged veterinary nurses to‘stand up and be counted’ by joining the VN

Register. Over 70% of qualified VNs have risento the challenge. What happens next?

By the end of October this year, we couldcount 5,771 Registered Veterinary Nurses(RVNs), which included approximately1,633 that had transferred voluntarily, leaving2,388 on the List. This means that just over70% of eligible veterinary nurses have registered,a figure that should continue to increase.

The UK Register remains a non-statutoryinitiative - a voluntary step taken by theveterinary nursing profession to indicate itswillingness to be considered as a profession inits own right. Earlier this year, the Environment,Food and Rural Affairs Select Committeeconsidered the need for a new VeterinarySurgeons Act, under which the VN Registercould be made statutory. The Governmentagreed with the EFRA Committee that theRCVS and VN Councils should developproposals for the statutory regulation ofveterinary nurses. That was a positiveindication, although DEFRA has said that itdoes not have the resources to take veterinarynursing regulation forward as yet.

A new Veterinary Legislation Group has beenestablished by the RCVS to look at thepriorities for change and how they might betackled, under the chairmanship of ProfessorStuart Reid. VN Council member Hilary Orpetsits on the Group, which has a robustschedule of meetings and aims to report toCouncil in March.

Meanwhile, a statutory Register has been inplace in Ireland since the beginning of thisyear, which has been “enthusiasticallywelcomed” by VNs and vets alike, accordingto Veterinary Council of Ireland’s Registrar,Valerie Beatty – see adjacent Guest Columnfor an overview of this pioneering move.

Continuing Professional DevelopmentRVNs have a responsibility to keep their skillsand knowledge up to date by carrying out anaverage of 45 hours of CPD over three years(about two days a year). If the results of ourSurvey of the Veterinary Nursing Profession2008 are anything to go by, VNs are not

finding it hard to meet this target,registered or not, which is good news.

In fact, respondents to the surveyhad received an average of3.1 days of CPD in the previous12 months and 7% were alsoinvolved in giving CPD. Thesurvey suggested that CPD is

mostly funded by theemployer or practice –

84% per cent of

respondents said this was the case. It wasalso encouraging that, after books andjournals, the most popular method of takingCPD was in-house sessions, which means thatVNs are looking at cost-effective ways ofsharing knowledge within the practice team,as part of their CPD plan.

RVNs are sent CPD Record Cards each yearwhich give guidance on what can be countedtowards CPD and how it should be recorded.The cards can also be downloaded fromRCVSonline: www.rcvs.org.uk/vnregister

Disciplinary systemPlans are on track to introduce a disciplinarymechanism for Registered Veterinary Nursesfrom July 2010.

Once the disciplinary system is in place,charges could be brought against veterinarynurses on exactly the same basis as for vets,that is, if found guilty of fraudulentregistration, criminal convictions which renderhim or her unfit to practise as a veterinarynurse, or allegations of disgracefulprofessional conduct.

When the Register was launched last year,we hosted a series of Question Time meetingsfor veterinary nurses. A fear that veterinarysurgeons would sit in judgment on VNswithout VN representation was often raised.However, this will not be the case, accordingto Head of Veterinary Nursing, Libby Earle:“The Veterinary Nursing Bye-Laws state thatthree veterinary nurses will sit on the VNPreliminary Investigation Committee – thegroup that assesses whether complaintsshould be taken to the hearing stage,” sheexplains. “They would be joined by threemembers of the veterinary PreliminaryInvestigation Committee and at least one ofthat Committee’s Lay Observers. Theminimum number to investigate complaints atany meeting would be one vet and two VNs.”

The VN Disciplinary Committee, effectively the‘court’ that hears cases, would comprise a panelof up to five, with a quorum of one veterinarysurgeon, one veterinary nurse and one layperson acting as chairman, as laid down inthe Bye-Laws. The sanctions available to theDisciplinary Committee would be to remove anurse’s name from the Register – with thenurse eligible to apply for restoration after

L

VN REGISTER

“Plans are on track to introducea disciplinary mechanism fromJuly 2010.”


How has thestatutory Register forIrish VNs fared?

he first of January 2008 was a red letter day for veterinary nurses inIreland, the date that the Veterinary Council became legally obliged to

set up a statutory register of veterinary nurses. This power was conferred onthe Council following the commencement of the Veterinary Practice Act2005, on 1 January 2006. During the two years up to January 2008, theCouncil passed regulations relating to the registration of these veterinarynurses, established the educational standards applicable to veterinary nursingcourses and visited education providers in order to assess whether thequalifications obtained by students in these colleges met the requiredstandard for registration.

The Act defines veterinary nursing in terms of the procedures that veterinarynurses can carry out, either while assisting and in the presence of, or underthe direction of, a veterinary practitioner. The Act also allowed a six-monthperiod for those who qualified to register before regulation commenced.The other significant provision was a ‘grandfather’ clause which allowed thosewho had not gained a qualification but could prove that they had beenpractising as veterinary nurses on 27 October 2004, and had continued soacting, to provisionally register as long as they undertook to participate in anapproved programme of education within five years.

The key challenge facing us initially was communicating with potentialapplicants, as there was no comprehensive listing of veterinary nurses in theState. The next challenge was to communicate the time-lines, particularly forthose seeking to be provisionally registered, applications for which could notbe legally accommodated after 30 June 2008. Unfortunately, a small numbermissed the deadline.

By 30 June 2008, 233 veterinary nurses had registered, 60% of whomregistered in the final four days of June, putting quite a strain on ouradministration. To date, a total of 320 have registered. Just over 50% areprovisionally registered and we now face the challenge of getting thesepeople from where they are now to the successful completion of an approvedprogramme of education, given the variety of their experience andeducational backgrounds.

Almost without exception, veterinary nurses have enthusiastically welcomedthe opportunity to gain professional recognition and standing in their ownright: registering them has been a most satisfying aspect of my job overthe past few months. Veterinary practitioners who expressed an opinion arepleased that veterinary nurses are at last having their skills recognised.There are considerable challenges ahead for us, not only in regulating theprofession but also in supporting and developing it.

Regulation for Irish VNs

T

Valerie Beatty, Registrar, Veterinary Council of Ireland

The Veterinary Council of Ireland was established in 1931 and re-constitutedon 1 January 2006 under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005. The principalfunction of the Council is to regulate and manage the practice of veterinarymedicine and veterinary nursing in Ireland, in the public interest.


GUEST COLUMN

10 months or to suspend the nurse, with his orher name returning to the Register immediatelyafter the period of suspension. A veterinarynurse would not be able to carry out Schedule3 tasks while his or her name was removedfrom the Register. Neither would they be ableto join the unregulated List, which closed tonew applications on 1 September 2007.

The College will start officially to take complaintsabout veterinary nurses from 1 July 2009.At present, we receive about 700 complaintsper year about veterinary surgeons – a smallnumber, given the volume of daily clientinteractions. We expect the number receivedabout VNs to be much lower, not least becausethere are roughly a third as many RVNs ashome-practising veterinary surgeons.

“RVNs should certainly not be unduly worriedabout the introduction of the disciplinarysystem. Providing they follow, the Guide toProfessional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses, andkeep up their CPD,” according to Head ofProfessional Conduct, Gordon Hockey.

A period of close to three years was factoredin between the introduction of the Register inSeptember 2007 and that of the disciplinarysystem in summer 2010. This bedding-inperiod was specifically designed to allow timefor RVNs to get to grips with the responsibilitiesof registration and the requirements of theGuide. If VNs are concerned about anaspect of the Guide, they should contact theRCVS Professional Conduct Department foradvice – 020 7202 0789 / [email protected].


GUEST FEATURE

Return to charging

From 31 October 2008, veterinary practices canagain charge for prescriptions. Bob MacDowellfrom the Markets Policy and Remedies teamat the Office of Fair Trading explains why the banwas introduced and what vets can do now.

Prescription fee ban lifted

he origins of Hallowe’en, 31 October, dateback to the ancient Celtic festival Samhain,

which marked the change from summer to winter.Well, this year, it marked a change in theveterinary profession too – a fact that has notgone unnoticed by a large number of consumers– and MPs – who have written to the Office ofFair Trading (OFT) about the end of the three-yearban on charging for providing prescriptions.In this time of financial uncertainty and risinghousehold bills, consumers are afraid of whatmight happen. Will they now have to pay morethan they can afford for prescriptions?

First, though, why has the OFT consideredthis an issue? Our mission is to make marketswork well for consumers: we get concernedwhen consumers complain in their drovesabout a particular market. And that is whathappened in 1999–2001 when many farmersand pet owners complained about high pricesof prescription-only veterinary medicines(POMs). The complaints suggested that themarket was not working in the best interestsof consumers. As a result, we referred thesupply of POMs to the CompetitionCommission in October 2001 for investigation.

Competition Commission findingsThe Commission reported in April 2003.It found that consumers were paying too muchfor POMs, and that prices were higher thanin other European countries. The Commissionalso found that the large manufacturers werefailing to supply POMs to pharmacies on termsthat would enable them to compete with vets.

Vets were also found to have been:• Making it hard for animal owners to obtainprescriptions

• Failing to inform animal owners of POMprices or provide itemised bills

• Charging prices that did not reflect thediscounts and rebates received frommanufacturers

• Pricing POMs to subsidise professional fees

The Commission said that this behaviour byvets could allow them to hide high profits in

drug prices and also said it led to inadequatepressure on manufacturers to maintaincompetitive drug prices.

The Commission recommended a package ofremedies aimed at vets, manufacturers andwholesalers. The RCVS agreed to implementmost of the recommendations relating to vetsthrough changes to its Guide to ProfessionalConduct. The former Department of Trade andIndustry made the Supply of RelevantVeterinary Medicinal Products Order 2005(www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052751.htm).This Order implemented the remainingprovisions - those aimed at manufacturers andthe recommendation that veterinary surgeonsbe prohibited from charging for providingprescriptions for three years.

Consumer reassuranceThe prescription charging ban has now gonebut other rules remain that can provideassurances to consumers. The Order requiresthat vets must not discriminate between thosewho are given a prescription and those whoare not in:

• The charges for prescription-only veterinarymedicines

• The fees charged for supplying veterinaryservices other than giving a prescription(including, for example, consultation andmedicine determination fees)

The RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct wasamended to apply remedies recommended bythe Commission’s report. In particular, vetsmust have on display in their surgeries theprice of their ten top-selling POMs – and theymust also have on display a notice in theirsurgeries which, among other things, says:

Prescriptions are available from this practice.

You may obtain relevant veterinarymedicinal products from your veterinarysurgeon OR ask for a prescription andobtain these medicines from anotherveterinary surgeon or a pharmacy.

Your veterinary surgeon may prescribe

relevant veterinary medicinal products onlyfollowing a clinical assessment of ananimal under his or her care.

A prescription may not be appropriate ifyour animal is an in-patient or if immediatetreatment is necessary……. (The fullreferences to include on the poster are inthe Guide to Professional Conduct, Part 1D, paragraph 8)

The purpose of the Order and the RCVSguidance is to make it easier for consumers toshop around for veterinary medicines and, byencouraging pharmacists and other outlets toenter the market, to aid the development of amore competitive market.

ReviewOur large mailbag on the prescriptions issuesuggests that there is a lot of uncertainty andanxiety among consumers as to the level atwhich veterinary surgeons might set prescriptioncharges. Many consumers want the option ofshopping around for veterinary medicines,especially for repeat medication for long-termmedical conditions. We will be monitoringdevelopments and will take whatever action weconsider appropriate in the light of our otherpriorities and our duty under the EnterpriseAct 2002 to monitor, enforce and keep underreview the effectiveness of the Order.

We have been advising consumers who expressconcerns to us about prescription charges thatthey should, where possible, shop around tofind vets who are charging lower or no suchfees: we refer consumers to the search facilityon RCVSonline (www.findavet.org.uk) to helpfind a vet in any particular area. And if aconsumer is unsure what a fee is for, theyshould ask their vet to clarify. RCVS guidancerequires vets to be clear about what clientsare being charged for.

Now that the charging ban has gone, we waitto see whether it has had the desired effect ofproviding an opportunity for pharmacies toestablish themselves more solidly as suppliersof POMs. If it turns out that consumers are nobetter off, or worse off, then we might have toconsider whether some further action isneeded – and we can’t be specific about whatthat might be at this early stage. If there are

T

“Many consumers want the optionof shopping around for veterinarymedicines, especially forrepeat medication for long-termmedical conditions.”

hether qualified veterinary nurses should seek to become SuitablyQualified Persons (SQPs) in relation to the supply of veterinary

medicines has been a hot topic for some time. But confusion exists andVNs may be making career choices based on misunderstandings aboutwhat being an SQP entails.

SQPs may prescribe and supply some categories of veterinary medicines(POM-VPS and NFA-VPS). Products falling into these groups are mainlyparasiticides and other medicines for the routine control of endemic disease.

SQPs used only to be able to supply medicines from premises approvedby VMD and were generally employed by agricultural merchants or saddlers.Now, however, the 2008 Veterinary Medicines Regulations allow themalso to supply from registered pharmacies and, with effect from 1 April2009, from premises in the RCVS Register of Veterinary Practice Premises.

Many Listed/Registered veterinary nurses feel that to become SQPswould enable them to extend the range of their practice. Being anSQP would certainly open up avenues for veterinary nurses workingindependently of a veterinary surgeon, for example, in other approvedpremises such as a pet shop or in a registered pharmacy, and enablethem to supply POM-VPS and NFA-VPS medicines on their own authority.

RegulationQualified VNs can become SQPs providing they pass the examinationsof an approved training body and join a register. The regulator for SQPsis the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA) and alist of training bodies is available on its website (www.amtra.org.uk).A modular approach allows SQPs to train for supply to all animals or onlyfor food-producing animals, horses, companion animals or particularspecies. Top-up courses are currently available for qualified veterinarynurses to ensure previous training is not duplicated.

However, being an SQP should not simply be considered as anotherVN qualification. In addition to being registered with AMTRA and abidingby a code of conduct, SQPs must undertake continuing professionaldevelopment (CPD). This has to be specific to the SQP role and would bein addition to any CPD requirements from the RCVS for RVNs.

Medicine supply by VNsVeterinary nurses do not need to becomeSQPs simply in order to continue tobe involved in the supply of medicines(including POM-V products) under thedirection of a veterinary surgeon.A veterinary surgeon who supplies amedicine does not have to be presentwhen it is handed over. The onlyrequirement is that, for medicines otherthan AVM-GSL, the veterinary surgeonmust authorise each transactionindividually before the product is suppliedand be satisfied that the person handingit over is competent to do so.

So, if you are a Listed or Registered VN working in a veterinary practice,before enrolling on an SQP course it might pay to consider the realbenefits, bearing in mind the likely cost of training, registering andcarrying out CPD.

For more information on becoming an SQP, visit www.amtra.org.uk.


Suitable behaviour

significant competition concerns to address,possible options might include advising theCompetition Commission that the Ordershould be varied in some way or asking it toundertake a new inquiry. I must stress that weare keeping all options open.

I’ll end by providing a strong warning aboutcartel behaviour. Vets must not agree betweenthemselves what suitable fees should be. Thisis strictly prohibited under competition law.An individual, such as a vet, may be guilty ofa criminal offence if he/she dishonestly agreeswith one or more other individuals to fixprices. A person guilty of such an offence isliable (on conviction or indictment) toimprisonment, a fine or both.

• Bob MacDowall is responsible, among otherthings, for monitoring and enforcingcompliance with remedies that have arisenout of monopoly and market inquires by theCompetition Commission. He has beenworking in the OFT for a number of years,mostly on competition matters in a numberof areas, including beer, petrol, groceries,films, home credit and banking services.

Speed read• Council agreed the following changes tothe Guide in June 2008:

From 31 October 2008, veterinary surgeonsmay make a reasonable charge for writtenprescriptions. Prescriptions for POM-Vmedicines may be issued only for animalsunder the care of the prescribingveterinary surgeon and following his orher clinical assessment of the animals.

A veterinary surgeon must not discriminatebetween clients who are supplied with aprescription and those who are not inrelation to fees charged for other goodsor services’.

• Practices must not agree betweenthemselves what suitable fees should be

• For more information see Advice Note 15www.rcvs.org.uk/advicenotes

• Public guidance available atwww.consumerdirect.gov.uk/before_you_buy/thinking_about/560042/

• Other Competition Commissionrecommendations remain in force

To SQP or not to SQP

“Vets must not agree betweenthemselves what suitable feesshould be.”

W


EDUCATION

Greater choice for CertAVP candidatesave you been contemplating the Certificate inAdvanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP), but

couldn’t find modules in your area of interest?Waiting for teaching locations closer to home?Help may be at hand: a range of new modules isnow available, bringing the total choice to justshort of 80. If you’ve not looked at the optionslately, visit www.rcvs.org.uk/modcerts.

In October, we accredited the Universities ofEdinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and the West ofEngland (in partnership with Hartpury College)to assess modules for the CertAVP. The movehas enabled the universities to offer newmodules, many of which are now availablethrough more than one university, givingveterinary surgeons a real choice as to howthey work towards postgraduate qualifications.

The range now covers most species and manydisciplines, including some firsts for theCertAVP – equine modules will be availablethrough both Edinburgh and LiverpoolUniversities, and Edinburgh will also beassessing modules in equine dentistry,laboratory animal science and cattle and

sheep medicine, amongst others. Glasgow’srange includes modules in veterinary publichealth, as well as emergency critical care,while the University of the West of England’soffering includes the key skills modules, and‘B’ modules in small animal, equine andproduction animal practice.

These universities join the Royal VeterinaryCollege and the Universities of Cambridge andMiddlesex in being accredited to assessmodules. All of the accredited universitiesprovide courses to support candidates workingtowards modules, including distance-learningoptions and online support. They must alsooffer an assessment-only route for those whoprefer self-study, or who want to attendcourses elsewhere, for example, through otheruniversities or commercial CPD providers.

The modular approach gives candidates thebenefit of a mix-and-match style of learning,adding flexibility that was missing from theprevious certificates. It’s ideal for those whoare committed to structured continuingprofessional development (CPD) but who need

to balance this with busy practice life. It’salso good for those whose practice interestschange over the enrolment period, or whowant to combine study across different speciesand disciplines to suit their practice caseload.

HNearly 80 modules now available

CertAVP - the system in brief• The RCVS accredits universities toassess modules

• The universities can run their own coursesbut must also offer assessment-only options

• Study can involve a variety of shortcourses, online e-learning, access toelectronic libraries, etc

• You can study for a stand-alone module, ortake one as part of the CertAVP

• Specified combinations of modules canlead to a CertAVP in a named subject

• You must bank your credits with the RCVSto achieve any of the certificates

• There is a 10-year enrolment period inwhich to achieve a full qualification

• Visit www.rcvs.org.uk/modcerts for moreinformation, including links to each ofthe accredited universities

ecent changes in the way veterinary schoolsteach clinical and practical skills, coupled

with increasing financial pressure on studentsand new graduates, have triggered a review ofExtra-Mural Studies (EMS).

A requirement has been in place for the last75 years that veterinary students ‘see practice’for at least 26 weeks in their clinical years.

The purpose of EMS has always been to ensurethat veterinary students have the right mix ofpractical and theoretical teaching and under-stand the realities of commercial clinical practicebefore they graduate. This objective does notchange, but it is now time to look again atwhat is covered in the clinical curriculum ofthe undergraduate degree to ensure that ourEMS guidelines are kept up to date.

EMS was last reviewed in 1996, but in theinterim veterinary schools have introducednew ways of teaching practical and clinical

aspects of the curriculum. For example,Nottingham’s ‘distributed learning’ modelinvolves private practices in the delivery of coreclinical teaching. There has also been anincrease in the role played by the veterinaryschools’ own first-opinion practices.

Meanwhile, fifth-year students foundthemselves lumbered with an average of over£17K of debt three years ago, and no doubtthis has risen since (BVA/AVS Survey 2005).Having to carry out EMS not only restrictsstudents’ capacity to work during the holidays,but often incurs substantial travel andaccommodation expenses.

In addition, the practice of EMS hashistorically relied on the goodwill of veterinarypractices and establishments such aslaboratories, farms, abattoirs and kennels.

That said, the majority view – whether vetstudents, vets in practice or those ineducation establishments – is that EMS is aunique and valued component of veterinarytraining and should not be lost.

In October, our Education Policy andSpecialisation Committee commissioned aworking group to review both EMS andclinical education. The review group, whichwill be chaired by RCVS Council Memberand practitioner Barry Johnson, will start workin January and gather evidence from abroad range of stakeholders. It aims to makea report to Council by the end of 2009.

EMS review announcedReview to consider both EMS and clinical education

R

“The purpose of EMS [is] toensure the right mix of practicaland theoretical teaching…”

Celebration timeResults of this year’s postgraduate Certificateand Diploma examinations are now available.Of the 201 candidates who entered forCertificate examinations, 109 passed (54%);for the Diplomas, 13 entered and 10 weresuccessful (77%).

Meanwhile, 12 candidates passed the 2008Statutory Membership Examination (seewww.rcvs.org.uk/statexam for the pass list),enabling them to register with the College. It’sa rigorous examination. In total, 49 candidatessat the written papers, 27 of whom werestopped after the written papers; 22 thenproceeded to the clinical, oral and practicalexaminations, of whom 12 passed the examoverall – 24% of the initial applicants.

For VNs, an overall pass-rate of 63% wasachieved by candidates in the Septemberround of practical examinations (smallanimal): 282 candidates took the examinationsand of the 177 who passed, 152 had alreadypassed their VRQ theory examination and sowere immediately eligible to apply to becomeRegistered Veterinary Nurses.

More choice for DipAVNWe have approved the Royal VeterinaryCollege (RVC) to deliver new modules that can

be taken towards the Diploma inAdvanced Veterinary Nursing(www.rcvs.org.uk/dipavn). The RVC

is offering three of the coremodules and three optional modules

in anaesthetic nursing, diagnosticimaging and theatre practice. The RVC

modules add to those already availablefrom Myerscough College. Anyone

wishing to enrol with the RVC shouldcontact Perdi Welch at

[email protected]

Deadline reminderThe final examinations for the old-style RCVS

Certificates will be held in summer 2012.Candidates who haven’t previously attemptedthe examination and who think they may needmore than one attempt are advised to enter theexam in 2010 in order to allow time for threeattempts before the exam is phased out. Thismeans that they will need to apply for their“Final Approval of Experience” by 1 November2009 at the latest, and will need to thinkabout starting their case logs now, ready tosubmit next autumn.

The deadline for entries to the 2009Certificate and Diploma examinations is1 March 2009 (as this is a Sunday,submissions will be accepted until middayon the 2 March).

EDUCATION


Nottingham interim visitation team announced

50% of UK graduates have joined the system

Speedy sign-up to PDP

he Professional Development Phase (PDP), theweb-based tool designed to help new graduates

consolidate their experience, is now in its secondmandatory year.

Nearly a quarter of last year’s graduates havenow completed (most did not sign up for PDPuntil well into the autumn of 2007), and50% of the 2008 UK graduates have signedup – a higher figure than this time last year,which may say something about the alacritywith which new graduates have joined the jobmarket in these unsettled times.

Guidance for employersTo help those employing recent graduates, wehave produced a new publication - Guidanceon the PDP for Employers. The three-partdocument answers frequently-asked questionsthat employers may have about the PDP,offers guidance on supporting new graduateswhile on the system and lays out the Year Onecompetences and clinical procedureschecklists that users fill out on the PDP.

A copy of the 24-page booklet will be givento all new graduates when they enrol on thePDP, so they can pass it on to their employers.The booklet is also available to download fromRCVSonline (www.rcvs.org.uk/pdp) or in hardcopy from [email protected].

New Postgraduate DeanWe have alsostrengthened ourteam ofPostgraduateDeans with theaddition of JulianWells. Julian willjoin the team ofProfessor DavidNoakes andStephen Wareto helpgraduates as theyprogress through the PDP,offering email support and monitoringcompletion. A Shropshire-based practitioner,Julian is a former President of the BritishSmall Animal Veterinary Association andwas part of the original team that developedthe PDP, mentoring new graduates throughthe pilot phase.

Not too late to sign upThe PDP was made compulsory for allnew graduates from 2007 and it’s not toolate to sign up. To view a demo, visithttp://pdp.rcvs.org.uk and choose ‘preview’.New graduates wishing to join should [email protected] for a password.

very graduate from an RCVS-approved UKveterinary school is eligible to register with

the College immediately. We therefore need toensure that the schools are maintainingstandards of undergraduate education, and wedo this via the visitation process – it’s part ofour statutory function.

We generally visit the UK schools at leastonce every ten years, with periodic interimreviews to follow up recommendations, anddata returns reviewed annually.

When the University of Nottingham opened itsdoors to vet students in 2006, it was the first

new UK vet school since 1949. We can’tapprove the degree course until the first cohortof graduates has gone through the system, butan interim visitation is planned for February2009 and the RCVS Education Policy andSpecialisation Committee has announced thecomposition of the visitation team.

The team will be chaired by Professor LanceLanyon and the visit will look at Nottingham’sprogress in implementing the first three yearsof the curriculum, as well as its plans for theremaining two years, in preparation for afurther visit in 2011.

Visiting times

E

The visitation team will comprise:Professor Lance Lanyon (Chairman, pictured)Professor Chris Gaskell (Royal Agricultural College)Professor Malcolm Bennett (University of Liverpool)Professor Frans Smulders (University of Vienna)Dr Bob Moore (Large animal practitioner)Mr Ray Butcher (Small animal practitioner)Professor Tim Skerry (University of Sheffield)

T

COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS


What’s your role?Head of Communications

What’s your background?I graduated from Oxford in English Languageand Literature and took a postgraduatejournalism qualification before joining a market-ing communications consultancy. I thoughtI’d give it six months. Eight years later, havinghelped set up offices in Central Europe, Iended up as Managing Director of the UKbusiness. Following a period of freelancing,where I specialised in the environment,agriculture and animal health, I joined theRCVS as Head of Communications in 2005.

What do you do?My team is responsible for the external faceof the College. We deal with everyone from petowners to parliamentarians, and our activitiesinclude the website, publications (includingthe one you have in your hands), events,media relations, public affairs and policy.

What’s been your biggest challenge?It sometimes feels as though the RCVS is thebody that everyone loves to hate, so our workis challenging every day! In particular, the‘Walks of life’ careers DVD was quite testing.On a limited budget our team had to satisfythe needs of two government departments, sixveterinary schools and the College, whilstconveying messages about every possibleveterinary career to audiences including blackand minority ethnic students, those from lowersocio-economic groups and boys… oh, andmaking sure we had a Scottish accent in theretoo. Not easy!

Surprise us…I was very close to getting my black belt inKarate before I gave it up, doesn’t seem tohave much effect on team discipline though!

Meet the RCVS team

he Officer team will be taking your questionsat RCVS Question Time, Miskin Manor Hotel,

near Cardiff, on Thursday 27 November at 6:30pm.

Places are filling up quickly, but if you wouldlike to attend the meeting, please contactFiona Harcourt on [email protected] or020 7202 0773 to reserve your place.

All those involved in the veterinary professionare welcome to attend, and the eveningwill begin with a chance to catch up withcolleagues over a bite to eat.

Further Question Time meetings will be heldnear Kidderminster on 26 March and inCornwall on 18 June. Personal invitations willbe sent to all veterinary surgeons and veterinarynurses who live within reasonable travellingdistance of the meeting venues, nearer the time.

Any questions?

eet the RCVS Days are held on a regularbasis at Belgravia House to help members of

the veterinary team gain a deeper understandingof what we do for the profession and the animal-owning public.

The day is an excellent opportunity for veterinarysurgeons, veterinary nurses and those involvedwith the profession to visit our office and seewhat goes on behind the scenes. Guests will visiteach department, meet key members of staffand have plenty of opportunities to ask questions.Here’s what some previous visitors have said:

“The entire day was useful, informative andvery enjoyable”

“I liked having the opportunity to ask questions”“It was good to put faces to names and learnwhat every department does”

Our next meeting on Monday 17 Novemberis already fully-booked, but further meetings,which start at 10:30am and finish atapproximately 3:30pm, will be held onMonday 16 March and Tuesday 9 June 2009.Guests will be reimbursed for any reasonableUK travel and subsistence expenses incurredand lunch will be provided.

To register your interest, contact FionaHarcourt on [email protected] or020 7202 0773.

See for yourself

M

T

Lizzie Lockett

Spend a day with us

PRACTICE STANDARDS SURGERYWhile at Miskin Manor, President Jill Nute,Practice Standards Scheme ManagerEleanor Ferguson and Inspector Pam Mosedalewill be holding a Practice Standards Scheme‘surgery’ on the afternoon of Thursday 27November. There are just a couple of time-slots left, so if you are thinking of joiningthe Scheme or need some help with anupcoming inspection, get in touch now tobook your free 30-minute private appointment.Contact Fiona Harcourt on 020 7202 0773 [email protected]. If these sessions provesuccessful, similar events will be held on theafternoon of other Regional Question Times.

Stalwarts in the parkAs part of this year’s VN Week, which aimed to raise the profile of veterinary nurses and their rolein the practice team, members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association and RCVS VN Councilwere on hand in Kensington Gardens on 1 November to offer advice to owners on how to best carefor their pets. Despite the wind and torrential rain, turn-out was good and 40 dogs were given freehealth-checks by VNs.

COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS


isitors to the RCVS stand at this year’s BVNACongress (11 October), went away

enlightened. No, we weren’t offering spiritualcounselling… just a handy torch.

To raise awareness of the fact that VNs canturn to the Vet Helpline in times of stress,the torch was printed with the helplinenumber and given free to all visitors, togetherwith a leaflet outlining sources of supportavailable to VNs.

Vet Helpline is run by the Veterinary BenevolentFund to offer 24-hour support to veterinarysurgeons and veterinary nurses with emotional,addictive or financial problems. To furthergalvanise its support for VNs, it has agreed toextend its team of trained volunteers to includetwo veterinary nurses.

Lighting the way at BVNA

V

n September, the RCVS and WarwickshireCollege played host to the annual Vetnnet

Conference in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Those involved with VN training across Europegathered to hear from a range of inspiringspeakers under the theme of “Through thelooking glass: developing the reflectiveveterinary nurse.”

The programme comprised a mix of speakersand workshops, with topics includingeducational models, effective communicationskills, personal development and practicalnursing assessment.

VN Council Chairman Andrea Jefferyaddressed the topic of ‘Introducing a NursingModel to Veterinary Nursing Education’ andVNC members Sophie Pullen and Hilary Orpetgave papers on ‘The Reflective Approach toVN Education’ and ‘Practical NursingAssessment and Care Planning’ respectively.

From further afield, keynote speaker Dr PeteBill from the Purdue University School ofVeterinary Medicine in the USA spoke aboutthe challenges faced in VN education, whileother speakers shared VN training experiencesfrom the Netherlands, Germany and Italy.

VNs in reflective mode

IVetnnet Conference in the UK

SOURCES OF SUPPORT FOR VNS

Vet Helpline: 07659 811 118

Veterinary Surgeons’ Health SupportProgramme: 07946 634 220

BVNA Legal Helpline: 01279 408644(BVNA members only)

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons:020 7222 2001

www.vetlife.org.uk

Answer that call!

wenty four-hour emergency cover is perenniallya hot topic. As announced in the June issue,

we are gathering data as part of a review of our24/7 guidance. We hope we can rely on your help.

We have contracted independent research firmCognition Market Intelligence to carry out asurvey into how 24-hour emergency cover ishandled by practices. A total of 440 interviewsare being carried out right now, across a rangeof types of veterinary surgeon (age, gender,role, area of practice) and practice (location,area of activity, size etc). The number andnature of the interviewees have been carefullychosen to ensure that a representative sampleof different experiences is heard.

The questionnaire has been developed byCognition based on feedback from a series ofin-depth interviews with a range of practitioners(if you helped with these, many thanks) andinput from the RCVS 24/7 Working Party,which comprises representatives from differentveterinary associations.

The results of the phone survey will bediscussed by the Working Party at a meetingin early December, and recommendationsabout changes to the guidance may then bemade to the RCVS Advisory Committee and,if appropriate, RCVS Council. If such changesare significant, a period of consultation – withboth the profession and the public – is envisaged.

“Please be as helpful as you can,” urgesPresident Jill Nute. “All responses will betreated absolutely confidentially but only ifpeople are forthcoming can we build up auseful evidence base to help the WorkingParty in their review.”

The interview may take up to half an hour.We appreciate that this might seem ironicwhen the survey asks about time pressures,but hopefully you will agree that the subjectmatter justifies the time commitment.

T24/7 research phase in progress

“If such changes are significant,a period of consultation isenvisaged.”

here have been four meetings of the PreliminaryInvestigation (PI) Committee since the last Council

meeting, during which 51 new complaints as well as ongoingcomplaints were considered. In that time the Committee has:

• referred five complaints to solicitors for statements;

• requested further investigation by the ProfessionalConduct Department for 14 complaints;

• carried out one announced and two unannounced visits to veterinarypractices (the visits included interviewing complainants, veterinarysurgeons and witnesses); and,

• referred two complaints to the Disciplinary Committee.

Between May 2008 and the middle of October 2008, 313 complaints wereregistered and 303 were closed.

The complaint reported to Council is an example of a complaint closed atthe case examination stage, the second stage of the investigation process,and is summarised below. It demonstrates that investigations are carried outas necessary between the assessment and case examination stages. Suchinvestigations enable further understanding of the complaint and enable thecase examiners to decide whether there is an arguable case against theveterinary surgeon.

Euthanasia without owner’s consentIn February 2008, the veterinary surgeon carried out the euthanasia of aneight-month-old horse at the request of the RSPCA and the police, where theowner was unknown. Subsequently, the horse’s owner complained to the RCVS.

The RSPCA asked the veterinary surgeon to attend the horse, who, on arrival,found it in lateral recumbency and, in view of the available evidence,considered it to have been down for some time. Further examination revealedclassic signs for the clinical stages of tetanus.

Neither the RSPCA inspector nor the police could identify the horse’s ownerand the animal was not microchipped. The veterinary surgeon said the policeofficer asked him to proceed with the horse’s euthanasia, which he thenperformed in the presence of the RSPCA inspector. However, the ownercomplained that the veterinary surgeon had failed to obtain consent for theeuthanasia and that the RSPCA knew he was the owner.

On reaching case examination stage, the case manager was asked to investigatethe complaint to establish what the RSPCA inspector had known at the time.The RSPCA inspector later confirmed in writing that the veterinary surgeon’saccount was correct, including that the police had authorised the euthanasiaand that the owner had subsequently arrived at the scene and behaved angrilyand aggressively. The complainant later apologised for this and confirmed thatthe veterinary surgeon had explained why the euthanasia was necessary andthe importance of tetanus vaccinations.

The case examiners decided that there was no arguable case of seriousprofessional misconduct against the veterinary surgeon; he had acted in accor-dance with welfare legislation to relieve an animal’s distress, where obtainingthe consent of the owner was not practicable. The complaint was closed.

Report to CouncilNovember 2008PI Committee Chairman Lynne Hill

T

The full report is available on RCVSonline (www.rcvs.org.uk).


DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE HEARINGSPRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE

Mr William A Baird

Mr Leslie Higgott

Resumed inquiry concerning: inadequatecare/hospitalisation conditions; lack ofcourtesy to clients; failure to obtaininformed consent re off-label medicines;failure to heed College advice reCPD/record-keeping.

DC decision: remove name from Register.

Registration status: name removed on2 September 2008.

Between 29 April and 2 May 2008, LeslieHiggott appeared before the DisciplinaryCommittee facing a number of chargesregarding his in-patient treatment of a SpringerSpaniel; namely, that he had not carried outany or sufficient investigative procedures;had not sought any additional veterinaryopinion; and, did not sufficiently observe ormonitor the animal. Further, that he didnot provide an adequately-sized cage/box forthe dog’s hospitalisation and failed to ensurethat the box was adequately clean. Also thatby his remarks and behaviour he had failedto treat his client with respect, courtesy andconsideration. In addition, and not with-standing advice from College representatives,he had failed to keep up to date with CPDand kept no clinical notes for animalsthat he treated between April 2006 andAugust 2007.

Inquiry concerning: application forrestoration to the Register.

DC decision: application granted.

Registration status: restored to Registeron 4 September 2008.

On 4 September 2008, the DisciplinaryCommittee granted William Baird’s applicationfor restoration to the Register.

Mr Baird’s name was removed in July 2007,after he was found guilty of disgracefulconduct for refusing to attend a 14-year-oldGerman Shepherd-cross bitch, ‘Cassie’, at thehome of clients when she suddenly becameunwell. The owners had told Mr Baird thatthey could not lift Cassie as one had backproblems, the other had recently undergonehip surgery and there was no-one to assist.Nevertheless, Mr Baird insisted that he wouldonly see the dog if it was brought into hissurgery. Following this, the owners telephonedanother local veterinary surgeon, who gave oralevidence at the hearing that when hetelephoned Mr Baird he was told: “I am not


going to do a visit. I don’t give a stuff. If youwant to go, you go.”

Mr Baird was not present or represented atthe initial inquiry, but had written to theDisciplinary Committee answering the chargesand saying that he wished matters to proceedin his absence. A few weeks after his removal,Mr Baird had written to the Veterinary Reviewcomplaining of the “injustice” of the College’sdecision to remove him. Mr Baird producedthis letter as part of his restorationapplication. In this, Mr Baird complained thatthe words the local veterinary surgeon allegedhe had spoken had not appeared in thewritten documents he had been asked tocomment upon, and that as matters hadproceeded in his absence, he had not had anopportunity to challenge them.

The Committee considered that a clear andcompelling reason had been given why theadditional evidence was omitted from thelocal veterinary surgeon’s statement (he hadstated that it was such an awful thing for aprofessional to say). The Committee also saidthat Mr Baird could have challenged thedecision at the Privy Council; that he had notread properly the letter sent to him by theCollege, and had misunderstood the AppealProcedure, was a “self-induced misapprehension”.

In his application, Mr Baird made clear thathe now accepted his failure to attend Cassieat her owner’s home may have caused herundue suffering. He said he realised that hehad a moral and professional obligation toattend at the owner’s home and he was trulysorry that he had caused so much distress.He admitted that he may have brought theprofession into disrepute.

The Committee noted that these commentswere at odds with the sentiments Mr Bairdexpressed via the Veterinary Review, which hehad produced during the course of the hearing.After questioning, the Committee was however

satisfied that he did have a proper understandingof his obligations in relation to out-of-hoursvisits and the paramount importance of dealingwith an animal’s welfare in all situations.

Mr Baird acknowledged that his response thatnight was entirely unacceptable. He regrettedhis refusal to attend out of hours for a homevisit to treat a distressed and dying dog, andhe further accepted that the RCVS Guide toProfessional Conduct stated in clear terms theduties of a veterinary surgeon in suchcircumstances.

Alison Bruce, Committee Chairman, said:“We consider Mr Baird to have shown a levelof naivety in his approach to the originalhearing and to this application for restoration.”However, she then added: “We recognise hiswilling acceptance that he breached his clearduty to provide 24-hour cover for his patientsand to attend on his patients personally wheresuch personal attendance at the clients’ homewas necessitated by the animal’s conditionand distress level. It is the decision of theCommittee that in light of the matters identifiedit is appropriate to allow this application.”

The Committee found all charges proved but,as there was insufficient time to conclude theinquiry, postponed its judgment until 28 July2008 (RCVS News, June 2008).

At the resumed inquiry, the Committeedecided that the facts as previously provedconstituted “conduct which fell far short ofthat which is expected of the profession”.It then gave detailed consideration to a numberof mitigating factors. These included lettersand oral evidence in support of Mr Higgott,including from the Mayor of Wallasey, and apetition asking that he be allowed to continueto practise, organised by his family and signedby more than 1,300 people.

The Committee heard of the impact onMr Higgott and the local community, werehis name to be removed from the Register.It also noted that there had been improvementsin hygiene in the practice in recent times and

that Mr Higgott had undertaken two CPDcourses since the previous hearing. It alsoheard of ill health suffered by Mr Higgottthroughout his career.

Against these factors, the Committee hadregard to a number of aggregating features ofthe case, including:

• the actual suffering of the dog concerned

• the risk of further suffering

• that his misconduct in relation to theinadequate diagnosis of the ailmentsadded to the dog’s suffering

• the treatment of the dog whilst inin-patient care

• his refusal to comply with the advicegiven to maintain proper clinical records

• his refusal to undertake CPD

• his disregard of the College’s role and theveterinary profession’s regulatory systems

• his lack of insight into the offences foundproved against him, and that his conductdid not relate to a single or isolated error

Alison Bruce, Committee Chairman, stated:“The Committee was concerned by the factthat [Mr Higgott] had undertaken onlyminimal CPD since April 2008. So inadequate

was his treatment of a dog that the Committeeconsidered firstly that the respondent wouldrequire very considerable additional trainingand over a substantial period of time beforehe could begin to attain the standards ofdiagnosis and treatment properly to beexpected of a competent veterinarian.

“Secondly,” she continued, “it was highlyimprobable that he would ever undertake thenecessary training that would qualify him toaccept other than the most routine veterinarywork from members of the public.” Hisreaction to the levelling of these chargesagainst him was, in the Committee’s view,“too little, too late”.

In deciding that only the ultimate sanction ofremoval from the Register would be appropriate,Mrs Bruce said: “The behaviour which wasfound and proved was fundamentallyincompatible with [Mr Higgott] being aveterinary surgeon because of the seriousdepartures from those standards set out inthe RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct.

“It is clearly in the public interest that veterinarysurgeons who are permitted to practise shouldbe concerned to protect and promote thehealth and welfare of animals in their care.The Committee should, by its decisions as tosanction, uphold and maintain the standardswithin the profession.”

“We recognise his willingacceptance that he breached hisclear duty to provide 24-hourcover for his patients.”

“It is clearly in the public interestthat veterinary surgeons who arepermitted to practise should beconcerned to protect and promotethe health and welfare of animalsin their care.”

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE HEARINGS


Resumed inquiry concerning: clinicalcompetence, clinical record maintenanceand false insurance certification.

DC decision: reprimand.

Registration status: remains a home-practising member.

In September 2006, Lyndon Basha was foundguilty of serious professional misconductrelating to his small animal practice between1996 and 2002. The charges concerned hisdiagnosis and treatment of a total of sevendogs and cats and related to his clinicalcompetence, maintenance of clinical recordsand certification of insurance claim forms.Following the 2006 hearing, Mr Basha wasgiven time to submit detailed proposals toaddress his shortcomings and, in November2006, he agreed to adhere to arrangementsset out in a plan. These included: continuingto work in an RCVS-accredited practice;completing a programme of CPD; working witha professional mentor (who reported quarterlyto the RCVS); and, making visits to anexternal practice. On the basis of this plan,the Committee decided, exceptionally, that itwould postpone judgement for a period of twoyears (RCVS News, November 2008).

At the re-convened hearing on 2 October2008, the Committee was required to decidewhether it would make a final judgement onsanction or postpone once more. TheCommittee was of the view that Mr Basha hadprovided a “considerable body of evidence”which demonstrated that he had “compliedcompletely” with the conditions agreed to in2006. This included completion of more than200 hours of CPD, 56 visits by his mentorand 13 practice visits. The Committee alsoindicated that it was impressed by Mr Basha’sopenness to staff and clients that he wasunder a postponed judgement, and wasencouraged that Mr Basha had acknowledgedthe seriousness of the findings against himand done all in his power to address hisshortcomings. It also acknowledged the goodreports Mr Basha had received from both theexternal practice owner and his mentor andwas encouraged that the latter would continueas a consultant to Mr Basha’s practice.

Brian Jennings, chairing the Committee, said:“The Committee is satisfied that Mr Basha isnow a clinically competent veterinary surgeon.We are also very impressed that theappointment of a veterinary mentor, which wasa key element of our decision to postponejudgement in 2006, has resulted in such a

positive effect on Mr Basha’s competence andon the practice as a whole.” It decidedtherefore to take no further action against himin respect of clinical matters.

Regarding the false certification of insurancedocumentation, the Committee recognisedthat the incident had occurred some yearsbefore, whilst Mr Basha was employed in adifferent practice, and that no such incidentshad occurred since the initial hearing or werelikely to re-occur in the future. The Committeewas reassured by the fact that Mr Basha nowemployed a veterinary nurse with fullresponsibility for processing insurance claims.However, the Committee stressed that it tookthe issue of false certification very seriously,and therefore issued a reprimand to Mr Bashain respect of those findings.

Registration status: name removed fromRegister on 19 January 2004.

In May 2002, the Disciplinary Committeedirected that Maurice Kirk’s name should beremoved from the Register; since then, it hasrefused three applications for restoration.

In October 2007, Mr Kirk sought permissionfrom the High Court to judicially review theDisciplinary Committee’s decision to removeMr Kirk’s fourth application for restorationfrom its list. Permission was refused. TheHigh Court at that time stated that Mr Kirk’sapplication was “totally without merit”.

Mr Justice Collins further observed that:“Mr Kirk is incapable of understanding thatin order to be re-instated he must ensure that

he has learned from his striking off and hasaccepted the verdicts of the DisciplinaryTribunal. This he seems incapable of doing.Any adverse decision must mean, in[Mr Kirk’s] view, that the decision-maker,whether it be the Judge or an RCVS member,has joined in some conspiracy against him.This is of course nonsense.

“However, the reality is that he has notchanged his attitude, and the RCVS is fullyentitled in all circumstances to refuse tore-instate him.” Mr Justice Collins furtherstated that: “All that the claimant does is,in intemperate language, to further complainof past decisions.”

On 16 June 2008, at an oral appeal lodgedby Mr Kirk, Mr Justice Lloyd upheld the HighCourt’s decision, indicating that the RCVS wasentitled to protect its procedures from abuse.On the basis that the application has notbeen made on relevant grounds and has noreasonable prospect of success, the DisciplinaryCommittee has subsequently declined to list afurther application for restoration, lodged byMr Kirk in July 2008.

Mr Lyndon A Basha

Mr Maurice Kirk

Registration status: remains a home-practising member.

In RCVS News (June 2008), we reported thatJoseph Holmes had indicated his intention toapply for a Judicial Review of this case (firstreported in March 2008). At a hearing at theRoyal Courts of Justice on 21 October 2008,with the agreement of both Mr Holmes andthe RCVS, Mr Holmes’ application for JudicialReview was stayed for the hearing of theDisciplinary Committee to be resumed. A datefor this is still to be confirmed but is expectedin early 2009.

Mr Joseph L Holmes

Full details of disciplinary hearings are available at www.rcvs.org.uk

“Mr Basha is now a clinicallycompetent veterinary surgeon.We are also very impressedthat the appointment of aveterinary mentor...has resultedin such a positive effect.”

“The reality is that he has notchanged his attitude, and theRCVS is fully entitled in allcircumstances to refuse tore-instate him.”

On the lookout for a trusty Trustee

What is the remit of the Board of Trustees?The RCVS Trust is a small but ambitiouseducational and animal welfare charity whichwas set up in 1958 by the RCVS to providetwo key services to the veterinary profession:an educational grants programme and aLibrary and Information Service. In a nutshell,the remit of the Board is to deliver and growthese services.

What sort of commitment is involved?We meet as a Board four times a year and,between us, try to ensure a Trust presenceat all the main veterinary conferences.There are often documents to read in-betweenmeetings, but I wouldn’t say the workcommitment is onerous.

What support do you get?Each Trustee has a very different professionalbackground which is a support in itself, as itbrings a very diverse skills-base to the Board.The Trust also has an induction package forall new Trustees to help bring them up tospeed with the different elements of its work.

Is it easy to get a grant?Grant application is open to anyone within theveterinary field. The current round of grantsfinishes on the 21 January 2009 at 5pm![See page 4 for more details.]

Why did you become a Trustee?I wanted to be a Trustee after learning aboutthe charity’s services within the veterinaryprofession. Being a Trustee allows me to be apart of improving, expanding and deliveringthe services of the Trust.

For example, 2008 has been our GoldenJubilee year and we have awarded over£1,000,000 to nearly 60 innovative and high-calibre research and animal welfare projectsin the UK and overseas. I believe there is noother organisation doing what the Trust does,or striving so hard to give so much to ourprofession. To be a part of it is a privilege.

On a more personal note, I saw an opportunityto work with and learn from others. TheTrustees come from a wide variety ofprofessional backgrounds, including industryand education, and it is a real pleasure to hearthem speak with passion about their area of

work. Also, I thought it about time there was aVN on the Board again to shake things up a bit!

What is most rewarding about being a Trustee?Without doubt the most rewarding part of thework is talking to our grant holders, past andpresent, about what they have done with theirfunding. These people are truly inspiring andtheir work is outstanding. I am often in awe oftheir drive and passion to learn more aboutnew areas of veterinary science.

I would like to think that, as a Trustee, I canhelp make a difference to the profession I loveand have spent my whole life working in. Tolisten to those who have used the Trust’s servicesmakes me very proud of the work that we do.

What are the challenges you face?As a Trust, we must strive not only to makesure our work is current, but also to look tothe profession’s future. We try to see thechallenges ahead and ensure we are providinggrants that will meet the profession’s needs ofboth today and tomorrow.

In the current financial climate we must alsobe cautious in terms of how we manage ourfinancial commitments. Next year we plan togive away £250,000 in grants and, asTrustees, it is our responsibility to ensure thefunds are available.

Our Library service is one of the largest inEurope and our ever-resourceful Library teamassist us in continuing to provide some of thebest education resources to the profession.We work hard to stay on top of what our Libraryusers want in order to keep the services current.

What skills and qualities are you lookingfor in prospective Trustees?There are lots of skills that we look for in aTrustee. These include: having some under-standing of how to generate charitable income,fundraising and marketing experience,financial awareness, and the ability to networkand make new contacts for the Trust.

We want to represent the profession's breadthand diversity around the boardroom table, sowe need people from all areas of theprofession. Without this, the Board will not tobe able to continue move forward as it hasdone so successfully in the past.

Above all, I would say a Trustee needs to believein the Trust’s work and have a willingness tolook for opportunities to improve its impact inthe veterinary world as a whole. They need tobe able to think outside the box, and bringfresh ideas to the table. As a Board, we wantto move and shake!

What three words describe your experience so far?Inspiring – I have met many inspiring peoplethrough the Trust’s work

Educational - I have learnt a great deal aboutareas of the profession that I would otherwiseknow nothing about.

Loyalty – Never have I worked alongside such acommitted and dedicated group of individuals.

RCVS TRUST


As the RCVS Trust approaches the end of its official Golden Jubilee year,it is seeking to expand its current Board of Trustees. We spoke to currentTrustee Tracy Mayne, veterinary nurse partner at Vets4Pets in Redditch,about her responsibilities as a member of the Board and why she gotinvolved in the first place.

Would you like to know more aboutbecoming a Trustee of the RCVS Trust?If so, please contact Cherry Bushell, TrustDirector, for an informal chat (020 7202 0714/ [email protected]).


Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Belgravia House, 62-64 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AFEmail: [email protected] | Telephone: 020 7222 2001 | Fax: 020 7222 2004 | www.rcvs.org.uk

RCVS News at a glance…Too busy to read the lot? Start here for importantdates for your diary and story summaries, so youcan decide what might be worth reading in full.

Registration timeOur Veterinary Practice PremisesRegister is now open for business.If you handle veterinarymedicines, your premises need tobe in there.

Open all hours?We’re gathering info about howyou handle 24/7 and if you wantto continue.

I do declare!Council takes on boardCorporate Governance Group’srecommendations onDeclarations of Interest.

Migration patternsGovernment advised to keep fast-track route for non-EEA vets.

Europe callingFunding for European VNpractical assessments.

Running for researchCould you run the LondonMarathon for the RCVS Trust?

Nice to have you backNew guidance for VNs returningto the Register.

Cherry pickedCherry Bushell takes over thereins at the Trust.

Barack who?RCVS Council nominationsnow open.

What’s the premise?Guide to what are veterinarypractice premises and what are not.

Swearing inNew annex on Expert Witnesses.

Horse playUpdated guidance on PPEs –who can you act for?

Happy Birthday RVNs!VN Register a year on; progress ondisciplinary system.

Irish AyesThe Irish said ‘yes’ to a statutoryVN Register – how has it gone?

Re-chargeVets can again charge forprescriptions. The OFT tells youwhy.

Mind your SQPsAdvice on what being anSQP entails.

Get pickyGreater module choice forCertAVP and DipAVN candidates.

Back in my day…Review of EMS guidelines islaunched.

Visiting cardsVisitation team for Nottinghamannounced.

Do tell the bossPDP sign-up quicker thanlast year, and new guidancefor employers.

Meet the teamSay hello to the Head of Coms –yes, that is her real name.

Come join us…At the College or in Cardiff – timefor your questions.

VNs at largeBVNA Congress, Vetnnet, VN Week– they’ve been out and about.

PI CommitteeCase involving euthanasia withoutowner’s consent closed atexamination stage.

DC casesMr L Higgott struck off forinadequate care, lack of courtesy,failure to obtain informed consentand poor record-keeping;Mr W Baird restored to Register;Mr L Basha’s resumed caseconcerning clinical competence,record maintenance and falseinsurance certification is closedwith a reprimand; Mr M Kirk’sappeal Judicial Review of 2002decision to remove him fromRegister is refused; and,Mr J Holmes’ application forJudicial Review is stayed, allowingDC hearing to be resumed.

Position of TrustThe Trust seeks new Boardmembers - hear from incumbentTracy Mayne VN about what'sinvolved.

200827 NovemberPractice Standards surgeriesand Regional Question Time,Cardiff

24-26 DecemberCollege closed

20091-2 JanuaryCollege closed

21 JanuaryClosing date for Trust grantapplications

31 JanuaryDeadline for Councilnominations

14 FebruaryClosing date for StatutoryMembership Exam

1 MarchDeadline for entry toCert and Dip exams

5 MarchRCVS Council meeting

16 MarchMeet the RCVS Day, London

26 MarchRegional Question Time,Kidderminster

1 AprilVeterinary practice premisesmust be registered

4 JuneRCVS Council meeting

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

19

1

2

3

6

8

9

10

11

17

12

16

14

4

5

Desi

gned

byoc

ean|

insi

der

020

7061

6310

ww

w.o

cean

-des

ign.

com

Printed by an ISO 14001-accredited printer using 100%vegetable-based inks on a totallychlorine-free PEFC-accreditedstock www.sterlingsolutions.co.ukPEFC/16-33-240

rcvs news - professionals · examinations (osces) across europe, endorsing the rcvs format as a...

Documents