FAQs

Reflection is central to outcomes-based CPD and we expect veterinary surgeons and nurses to reflect as part of their CPD commitments.

If there is evidence that vets or VNs are not routinely reflecting on their CPD they have completed, the Education team may follow this up in the first instance. 

We recommend that vets and VNs who take time away from work keep up with CPD as long as you remain practising on your respective Register. This is to help you keep your skills, knowledge and experience up-to-date and place them in a stronger position once you return to work.

In cases of planned or unplanned leave, vets and VNs can apply to pause your CPD requirements for up to 6 months. Once you return to work, your CPD requirements will be calculated on a pro-rata basis against the annual hourly targets. If you need to take a longer break, please contact the Education team by email on [email protected] or call 020 3795 5595 to discuss.

Veterinary nurses who are unable to maintain their CPD requirement during an absence from work are encouraged to remove their name from the Register. If you return to register after a period of 6-18 months you will not need to pay a restoration fee.  

If the DC has decided that the appropriate sanction is suspension or removal, a letter will be sent to the veterinary professional which explains what happens next. There is a right of appeal so the suspension/removal order will not take effect until the 28 day appeal period has elapsed and the letter sent to the veterinary professional will make these dates clear.

If the veterinary professional does not appeal, they will then be removed from the register (either temporarily or permanently) and no longer appear on our ‘Find a Vet/Vet Nurse’ function on our website. If the individual has been suspended, they will automatically be reinstated to the register once the suspension period is complete. If the individual has been removed, they are entitled to apply for restoration to the register 10 months after they have been removed. Restoration applications are heard in formal hearings in front of the DC.

If the veterinary professional has appealed, they will remain on the register until the conclusion of the appeal.

The Department at Cambridge University has been notified that it must address the issues identified with the programme and meet the accreditation standards by September 2025. They will be able to share evidence with us that progress has been made – using an online secure repository - from now until the panel re-visits the Department late in September 2025, where further evidence will be collected in relation to how standards are being met.

If, following consideration of the accreditation report, it is decided by RCVS committees that the standards have been met, then the RCVS will accredit the programme and continue to monitor things as usual. However, if the committees review the evidence and decide the Department has not met the standards, they may decide to award the VetMB programme a classification of ‘Terminal accreditation’.

You will be informed of the outcome once the hearing has concluded. You will be able to view a copy of the decision and a press release on the website should you wish to learn more.

You will also be able to claim back your expenses. Please complete the claim form and return it to us alongside all of your receipts. If you do not have a copy of the form or have any issues, do let us know.

Once you arrive, someone will come to see you and discuss how the day will work in more detail. Ideally, you will also be shown the hearing room so you can familiarise yourself with it before you give evidence. You may also be introduced to the barrister for the RCVS so you can meet them prior to giving evidence.

One of the DC Clerks will come collect you when you have been called to give your evidence. You will enter the room and be directed to the witness chair. The first thing that will happen is that everyone will be introduced to you. You will then be asked whether you wish to swear an oath on a religious text or take a non-religious affirmation (it does not matter which one you choose). You will then be asked to repeat the words of the oath or affirmation after the Legal Assessor.

Once you have taken your oath/affirmation, the RCVS barrister will address you. You will usually be asked to confirm your name and that the document in front of you is your witness statement. You will then be asked if you have had the opportunity to read your statement recently and whether there are any changes to be made (e.g. name or job role changes). This is why we ask that you let us know about any possible changes in advance. Finally, you will be asked to confirm whether the statement is true to the best of your knowledge and belief. That then concludes your evidence for the RCVS. This is because your written witness statement (and any oral evidence) is your primary evidence, and everyone involved in the hearing will already be familiar with it.

In order to apply you will need to upload a copy of the identifying pages of your valid passport or EU ID card.

If you do not have a valid passport or EU ID card to hand, then please proceed with your application and we will contact you and ask you to provide alternative ID.

If you are unsure whether premises must be registered, please contact the Registration Department on [email protected] or 020 7202 0707 for further guidance. We may liaise with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate before providing further guidance.

If the period of absence of the VetGDP Adviser is known in advance, for example maternity leave, arrangements should be made for a replacement VetGDP Adviser during the period of absence. If the change is sudden or unplanned, for example serious illness or the VetGDP Adviser leaves without notice, you will need to find a replacement and support them to complete the online training as quickly as possible.

The practice will not be able to take on a new graduate until the VetGDP Adviser has been replaced and trained.