FAQs

Routine veterinary practice is the baseline of what is acceptable in practice, and is undertaken for the direct benefit of the animal/s. Where the procedure is being carried out for the primary purpose of developing new knowledge, or to compare results or research design, but is still necessary for an animal’s diagnosis or treatment and is being done to improve that diagnosis or treatment, it is considered clinical veterinary research.

It should be noted that even where non-invasive measurements are being taken from animals as part of a study (e.g. mouth swabs), that this is still clinical veterinary research and therefore precautions such as informed consent, ethics approval, and a rescue plan should be considered.

In the context of RVP, the terms ‘clinical veterinary research’ and ‘clinical veterinary studies’ are used interchangeably, although it is encouraged that the former terminology is used. Veterinary professionals should note that the guidance on RVP also applies to a ‘study’.

A veterinary surgeon undertaking clinical veterinary research should consider the following:

1. Has the procedure or technique been performed before? See FAQ 6.
2. Have they performed the procedure or technique before? See FAQ 7.
3. Has the research been peer-reviewed? See FAQ 8.
4. Has the research has been subject to ethics review? See FAQ 9.

Under the new guidance, when a veterinary surgeon takes an animal under their care, they 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. 

Where a veterinary surgeon is not able to provide this service [set out in paragraph 4.10 of the new guidance] themselves, another veterinary service provider may do so on their behalf. It is the veterinary surgeon’s responsibility to make these arrangements and it is not sufficient for the client to be registered at another practice.

This arrangement should be in line with paragraphs 3.4 -3.6 of the supporting guidance, made in advance before veterinary services are offered and confirmed in writing as part of the conditions of service agreed by the client. Veterinary surgeons should provide clients with full details of this arrangement, including relevant telephone numbers, location details, when the service is available and the nature of service provided.

The aim of this provision is to ensure that animals always have somewhere to go if needs be, for example, if the issue cannot be dealt with remotely, their condition deteriorates, or they have an adverse reaction to any medicines prescribed remotely.

This requirement was added in response to concerns that allowing remote prescribing might enable online only businesses to prescribe medicines to animals without any ‘back up’.

Apart from the clear animal welfare issue, there was also concern that this would put pressure on physical practices asked to deal with any adverse consequences arising from interventions by remote-only prescribers.

Due to the overarching requirement to provide 24-hour emergency first-aid and pain relief, the new 24/7 in-person care requirement should not place any additional burden on existing organisations providing clinical services.

Instead, it ensures that businesses, which may not operate during normal working hours or have a physical premises, cannot take an animal under their care and prescribe POM-Vs without having appropriate follow-up care in place should it become necessary.

Check what arrangements your practice has in place, and the services they are providing, so you can plan ahead as much as possible.

Think about what you would do in the event that your animal needs to attend the practice in the coming weeks, especially in an emergency, and identify any family, friends or neighbours who might be able to help if you are unwell or self-isolating.

Please respect your vet's decision if they decide that it is not appropriate to carry out a particular procedure or treatment at this time. You can discuss with them when it might be possible to review this decision at a later date.

Last updated: 14 January 2021

The development of any new procedure or technique must reasonably be expected to result in a similar or better outcome than that following conventional treatment i.e. there is true equipoise. The veterinary surgeon must have sufficient background knowledge of the treatment and there must be a professional judgement with an evidential basis.

It would not be acceptable for a veterinary surgeon to use an animal in the development of a new or improved veterinary procedure or treatment where it has not previously been made available to the veterinary profession and there is no background evidence to predict a clinical application in the species or other veterinary benefit (parallel evidence in humans may be acceptable). This type of new or improved procedure may require a licence under ASPA.

It is advised that a thorough review of the available peer-reviewed literature be carried out, and the veterinary surgeon be able to demonstrate that this has been done. It would not be sufficient to base a judgement on an anecdotal report of one case. Examples of existing suitable literature which would support the development of a procedure or technique include studies in other species, clinico-pathological rationale, or in vitro research. Care must also be taken to ensure that the procedure has not been classified as unethical by the RCVS.

Where development of a new or improved procedure or treatment is proposed, a harm/benefit analysis should be undertaken, which should include consideration of whether:

1. the expected benefits to the animal/s outweigh the potential risks and harms;
2. the effectiveness of the procedure or treatment is at least equivalent to available alternative treatments and less likely to cause harm in the longer term;
3. the procedure is expected to improve the animal’s overall welfare;
4. a ‘rescue’ plan is in place in the event of the unexpected so as to minimise the risks involved with the procedure; and
5. the veterinary professional has the appropriate skills, competence, and facilities to carry out this work.

There is no limit to the number of election candidates each year.

A minimum of two elected VN Council members retire each year. Members may serve a maximum of three consecutive three-year terms, after which they would need to wait for two years before re-standing for Council. 

There is no limit to the number of election candidates each year.

Now that Council has completed the transition to the smaller number and different structure, either three or four members will retire each year depending at what stage the members joined RCVS Council in the transition cycle.

The new arrangements also introduce term limits (see below).

Over the last five elections, there has been an average of 11 candidates standing for Council.

Unfortunately, only veterinary surgeons are permitted to use ‘vet’ in a company name as it implies that the person running or managing the company is on the RCVS register as a veterinary surgeon.

Non-veterinary surgeons who own or manage veterinary practices are however expected to appoint a senior veterinary surgeon, as per Chapter 17 of the supporting guidance, in order to provide appropriate professional direction. This senior veterinary surgeon should have an appropriate level of seniority, for example, a director or head of clinical services.

The appointed senior veterinary surgeon can therefore request a letter of non-objection (LONO) so long as their involvement is ongoing and meaningful, as they will be involved in the running or management of the company. Please see Chapter 23 of the supporting guidance for further information on how the appointed senior veterinary surgeon can request a LONO and what information to provide.

If no such veterinary surgeon has been appointed and/or no veterinary surgeon is involved in the running or management of the company, it is unfortunately likely to constitute an offence under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA) for you to use ‘vet’ in your company name and so unfortunately, a LONO cannot be issued.

Please also be mindful that a company may commit an offence under the VSA if, after the issuing of a LONO, it continues to use the protected titles but no longer engages a veterinary surgeon to be involved in the running or management of the company.

The four UK governments have published advice for people with animals, as follows:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

The British Veterinary Association has published guidance for veterinary practices in providing essential veterinary care.

Finally, Public Health England continues to update its guidance on the coronavirus on a regular basis, which includes general advice on social distancing and how you can protect yourself and others.

Last updated: 14 January 2021

We realise that there are differences in opinion within the profession regarding the inclusion of antiparasitics in this part of the guidance.

There are a range of factors set out in the guidance to be taken into consideration when prescribing POM-Vs, and we understand that the opinion of some is that these can simply be applied to antibiotics and antiparasitics to ensure responsible prescribing.

However, it is our view that these medicines should be treated differently to other POM-Vs because the risk of uncontrolled use is greater, for example, resistance and environmental impact.

As such, the guidance requires a physical examination in order to positively impact prescribing behaviours and change attitudes to these medicines.

Yes, so long as a physical examination is carried out at the time the prescription is made.

Please note that because the new guidance requires that a physical examination is carried out at the time of prescribing antiparasitics, a prescription for the whole period to be covered should be made at the time of the physical examination and include directions on how much should be dispensed and when, for example, a 12-month prescription to be dispensed at quarterly or monthly intervals.

Last updated: 9 February 2024