The RVN Preliminary Investigation Committee

Aim: To guide the decision making process of the Stage two Registered Veterinary Nurse Preliminary Investigation Committee (RVNPIC) as it decides whether to refer a case to the RVN Disciplinary Committee (Stage 3).

The Stage two RVNPIC will balance:

1. protection of the public from the risk of practice by RVNs who for any reason (whether competence, integrity or health) are unfit to practise; and the maintenance of standards;
2. the maintenance of the reputation of the profession and public confidence in the profession; and the legitimate expectation of the public that concerns of a serious nature will be fully and fairly investigated; and,
3. the need for legitimate safeguards for the RVN who, as a professional person, may be considered particularly vulnerable to, and damaged by, unwarranted charges against him/her.

The Stage two RVNPIC must decide whether there is a realistic prospect of proving that what an RVN has done, or not done, falls far below the standard to be expected of a reasonably competent RVN and could affect his/her fitness to practise, ie serious professional misconduct); or, whether any conviction renders him/her unfit to practise as an RVN (and, for any case, whether relating to conduct or a conviction, that there is a public interest to refer to an RVNDC hearing).

The Stage two RVNPIC is obliged to consider the merits and facts of each individual case and to exercise its own judgement in making decisions. However, this should be exercised within the framework of the statutory legislation and the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct.

The Stage two RVNPIC will consider the case in private on the basis of the concerns raised and all information gathered during Stage 1, as well as information gathered during any subsequent investigation it may instigate.