Areas of particular concern

Areas of particular concern might include:

Breaches of the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct (Code)

1. Dishonesty, for example, in the context of certification or about radiographs/clinical records of an animal;
2. Misleading a client, colleague or the wider public (about, for example, a swab left in an animal after a surgical procedure);
3. Recklessness in his/her conduct;
4. Failure to obtain informed consent to treatment or to discuss treatment options and possible complications;
5. Inappropriate or unwarranted physical force against an animal;
6. Aggression or violence towards a client;
7. Inappropriate storage, use or supply of veterinary medicinal products;
8. Failure to take adequate steps to provide 24-hour emergency cover;
9. Unreasonable refusal to provide immediate first-aid and pain relief;
10. Failure to maintain adequate clinical records; and/or
11. Failure to maintain the equivalent of Core Standards (the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme).

Not all breaches of the Code will give rise to a realistic prospect that the conduct is far short of that which is expected.

Clinical Matters 

1. Treatment that falls far short of that expected might include:
2. Discharging an animal too soon post-operatively;
3. Reckless administration of a medicine;
4. Failure to keep appropriate clinical records;
5. Negligence which may be gross;
6. Other very poor clinical care and skill short of the standard expected; and/or
7. Repeated errors.

Other Issues

1. Failure to adhere to previous advice from the RCVS;
2. Concerns relating to criminal cautions or convictions of a serious nature may, on the authorisation of the PIC Chairman and/or Head of Professional Conduct be referred directly to the Stage two PIC; and/or
3. Concerns relating to serious Health issues may on the authorisation of the PIC Chairman and/or Head of Professional Conduct be referred directly to the PIC.