FAQs

Yes, candidates must be currently on the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses. 

No, you can be a non-practising or overseas-practising member, but you must be on the RCVS Register.

As you are a veterinary surgeon, it is not likely to constitute an offence under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA) for you to use ‘veterinary’ in the company name, ‘…Veterinary Hospital Ltd’. A letter of non-objection (LONO) is therefore likely to be issued.

In relation to ‘…Hospital Ltd’ because this does not include ‘vet’, ‘veterinary’, ‘veterinary surgeon, or ‘veterinary practitioner’, a LONO is not required.

That said, consideration should be given as to whether use of either of these practice names might be misleading under Chapter 23 of the supporting guidance, and where relevant, whether use is (or might later be) contrary to the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) Rules. 

All practices

Practices should not call themselves a Veterinary Hospital unless they are accredited as such by PSS. This is because to do so implies to the public that the practice holds PSS Veterinary Hospital level accreditation when it does not. In these circumstances, a different name should be used to avoid misleading the public as per the expectations set out in Chapter 23 of the supporting guidance.

Using ‘Hospital’ alone is not automatically contrary to Chapter 23 of the supporting guidance and whether it is or not will depend on the circumstances.  

PSS practices, or those with aspirations to join PSS

Practices within PSS cannot use ‘hospital’ in their name unless they are accredited at Veterinary Hospital level.

As such, if there are future PSS accreditation aspirations or plans to be acquired, it might be prudent to avoid using ‘Hospital’ until such time as PSS Veterinary Hospital level is achieved. If you choose to use ‘Hospital’ and later apply to become accredited at Core or GP level, or you are acquired by a group already in the scheme, you/the group may be required to change the name/re-brand prior to entering the scheme or to remain in the scheme.

A clinical assessment is any assessment which provides the veterinary surgeon with enough information to diagnose and prescribe safely and effectively. 

A clinical assessment may include a physical examination, however this may not be necessary in every case.

Your practice will be working hard to avoid any unnecessary risk to you, and to their team.

As such, you should be prepared to wait outside the practice, or even in your car, while your animal is examined to ensure safe distances are maintained. The consultation with you may then take place over the telephone.

If you are asked to enter the practice premises, please maintain at least a two-metre distance between yourself and others and ensure you wash your hands before, during and after your visit to the practice. 

You should also wear a face covering at all times, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse. You can view rules applicable to your region in the UK including exemptions on wearing face coverings.

In line with government guidance limiting contact with others, you should ensure that, wherever possible, only one person attends the appointment with your animal.

Last updated: 14 January 2021

Procedures done in the ordinary course of clinical diagnosis or treatment of an animal/s are generally RVP.

If you are undertaking research, using routine veterinary practices, such as comparing two existing procedures or developing a new procedure, but always with the intention of benefitting the individual animal(s) that are used, then this is considered clinical veterinary research..

If you are undertaking the procedure or technique for scientific or experimental purposes, without benefit for the individual animal(s) used, then you are likely to require a licence from the Home Office under ASPA. See Chapter 25, paragraph 26 for information on exemptions to ASPA.

Your vet will use their professional judgement when deciding whether or not to administer primary and/or routine vaccinations.

They will base their decision on a number of things including the risk to your animal if the vaccination is not given (this will include local factors such as whether a particular disease is widespread in your area) and any unnecessary risks to their team in carrying out the vaccinations.

Please be aware that we do not expect veterinary practices to offer business as usual for the time being.

Please respect your vet’s decision, and remember that decisions may vary between practices, and in different parts of the country, depending on the circumstances and the latest government restrictions/guidelines in place.

Last updated: 14 January 2021

Yes, as of September 2024, you can.

Historically, certain company name formats such as those that contained ‘veterinary surgery’, ‘veterinary surgeons’, or full names of individuals were objected to as standard on the basis that they have the potential to be misleading, i.e., a practice could be sold on. Following a review by the Standards Committee in September 2024, it is now the case that a request for a letter of non-objection (LONO) for the purposes of company incorporation will only be refused if use of ‘vet’, ‘veterinary surgeon’, ‘veterinary surgery’ or ‘veterinary practitioner’ in the company name may constitute an offence under the VSA, i.e., because its use implies that a person is on the RCVS register as a veterinary surgeon when they are not.

However, should you sell your company and cease to have any involvement in it, the veterinary surgeon taking over the company should consider whether continuing to use the same company name is misleading under Chapter 23 of the supporting guidance. 

Veterinary medicines are licensed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to make sure they are safe and effective for specific animals/species. If a veterinary medicine is currently licensed for use, it is known as an ‘authorised’ medicine. Whether a medicine is currently authorised, and in which jurisdiction it is authorised, can be checked on the VMD’s Products Information Database.

The use of an unauthorised medicine in accordance with the prescribing cascade for the benefit of the animal will be considered as routine veterinary practice.

In the first instance a veterinary surgeon should prescribe a medicine authorised in the jurisdiction where they are practising, for use in the target species, for the condition being treated, and used at the manufacturer's recommended dosage. Where there is no such medicine available, the veterinary surgeon responsible for treating the animal(s) may, in particular to avoid unacceptable suffering, treat the animal(s) in accordance with the Cascade. Details of the Cascade can be found in Chapter 4.

If a veterinary surgeon intends to randomise animals to receive one of a selection of authorised medicines, this is CVR but would also require an ATC.

If a veterinary surgeon intends to use a completely novel or experimental product, even if the intention is to improve the welfare of the animal, further licence may be needed – see FAQ 6 below.

An animal is under a veterinary surgeon’s care when the veterinary surgeon is given, and accepts, responsibility for the health of an animal (or a herd, flock or group of animals) whether generally, or by undertaking a specific procedure or test, or by prescribing a course of treatment.

Responsibility for an animal may be given by the owner, client or keeper, statute or other authority.

A veterinary surgeon who has an animal under their care must be able, on a 24/7 basis, to physically examine the animal, or visit the premises in the case of production animals, equines, farmed aquatic animals and game.

Veterinary surgeons should also be prepared to carry out any necessary investigation in the event that animals taken under their care do not improve, suffer an adverse reaction or deteriorate.

Veterinary surgeons should provide this service within an appropriate timeframe depending on the circumstances, which could be immediately.