Previous cases before the Disciplinary Committee

The following issues have resulted in a referral to the Disciplinary Committee. The references are to previous cases before the DC. [NB these are primarily cases involving veterinary surgeons and the RCVS Disciplinary Committee for veterinary surgeons, included in this guidance for reference]

Breaches of the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct

1. The veterinary surgeon has made dishonest representations to the owners of the animal (RCVS v Mr B (03.04-C076), RCVS v Mr S (12.04-C043), RCVS v Mr S (12.06-C104), RCVS v Dr E (08.12-C023), RCVS v Mr B (04.10-C018), RCVS v Mr B (11.11-C126).
2. The veterinary surgeon has made misleading representations to the RCVS (RCVS v Mr S (03.05-C016), RCVS v Dr E (05.04-C026).
3. The veterinary surgeon has been dishonest in professional practice particularly in relation to information provided to clients or third parties (insurance companies), certification and treatment of animals (RCVS v Mr B (03.03-C081), RCVS v Dr W (12.05-C092), RCVS v Mr P (07.07-C054), RCVS v Mr C (11.10-C149).
4. The veterinary surgeon has been reckless in certification (RCVS v Mr L (07.09-C120, RCVS v Mr P (07.07-C054), RCVS v Mr W (01.07-C097).
5. The veterinary surgeon has failed to communicate with clients on a prolonged and continual basis (RCVS v Mr T (11.03-C002).
6. The veterinary surgeon has used unnecessary physical force towards animals (RCVS v Mr C (03.03-C107).
7. The veterinary surgeon has used aggression or violence towards the client or staff (RCVS v Mrs C (09.98.20C).
8. The veterinary surgeon has failed to provide [take steps to provide] emergency treatment (RCVS v Mr F (12.00.27C; 01.01.14C).
9. The veterinary surgeon has unreasonably refused to provide emergency first-aid and pain relief (RCVS v Mr B (04.05-C081), RCVS v Mr K (07.11-C183).
10. The veterinary surgeon has poor practice standards despite numerous warnings (RCVS v Mr H (07.07-C017)
11. The veterinary surgeon has allowed a non-veterinary surgeon to undertake veterinary procedures (RCVS v Mr L (06.02.C32).
12. The veterinary surgeon’s certification could have caused undue animal suffering and put public health at risk (RCVS V Mr A (01.02.120C).
13. The veterinary surgeon has failed to treat a client with proper courtesy and respect (RCVS v Mr H (07.09-C055), RCVS v Mr B (04.10-C018).

Clinical Matters

1. The veterinary surgeon has failed to provide adequate veterinary or professional care (RCVS v Mr H (07.07-C017), RCVS v Mr S (02.04-C087), RCVS v Mr B (03.03-C081).
2. The veterinary surgeon has carried out unnecessary or inappropriate treatment for financial gain or other reasons (RCVS v Mr S (02.04-C087), RCVS v Mr S (12.06-C104), RCVS v Mr H (10.09-C179), RCVS v Mr B (05.11-C060), RCVS v Mr H (08.09-C040).
3. The veterinary surgeon has undertaken procedures (tail docking) without clinical justification/legitimate reason to do so (RCVS v Mr M (06.05-C113).
4. The veterinary surgeon has dishonestly recommended unnecessary treatments (RCVS v Mr S (12.06-C104).
5. The veterinary surgeon has failed to provide proper anaesthesia to an animal undergoing surgery (RCVS v Mr P (07.00.111C)
6. The veterinary surgeon has failed to provide treatment in emergency circumstances (RCVS v Mr B (04.05-C081).

Other matters including criminal convictions and cautions

1. The veterinary surgeon has been convicted of an offence relating to animal welfare (RCVS v Dr O-G (08.11-C067).
2. The veterinary surgeon has been convicted of an offence of a sexual nature (RCVS v Mr S (05.04-C130).
3. The veterinary surgeon has been convicted of an offence involving violence (RCVS v Mr K (08.12-C171).
4. The veterinary surgeon has multiple convictions demonstrating a disregard for lawful authority (RCVS v Mr K (06.01C122; 01.02.C62).
5. The veterinary surgeon has been convicted of an offence relating to the dishonest appropriation of controlled drugs (RCVS v Mr K (07.98.121C).
6. The veterinary surgeon has convictions for causing death by dangerous driving (RCVS v Mr H (01.07-C125).
7. The veterinary surgeon was fraudulently entered on the RCVS Register of veterinary surgeons (RCVS v Mr N (03.08-C080) (RCVS v Mr O (12.07-C034).
8. The veterinary surgeon was convicted of offences of fraud by abuse of position relating to pet insurance claims (RCVS v Mr C (04.12-C203), RCVS v Mr M (06.13-C138).