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I am working as an OV/Meat Hygiene Inspector, do I need to participate in the VetGDP?

Whilst perhaps small, your role does have a clinical aspect. Here are some suggestions of which EPAs may be appropriate for your role. It is not an exhaustive list. Relevant EPAs will differ depending on role and should be discussed with the employer.

EPA 11 – Welfare assessments of animals arriving for slaughter are a common scenario to which this could be applied

EPA 12 – A veterinary risk assessment could be performed in a number of different aspects of the role relating to food safety/public health/animal welfare

EPA 13 – Audit activities in terms of the daily supervision of a factory are a requirement of the role. The OV may not be performing the annual FSA audit of the whole premises but their activities monitoring compliance through supervision contribute to that process

EPA 14 - OV may be asked to do export activities as part of their role

EPA 9 - OV would be expected to perform a Post Mortem Investigation following sudden deaths at an abattoir and may be expected to collect samples. This would only require a minor adjustment since collection of samples would only be required in certain cases.

EPA 10 - An OV is likely to be involved in, even if not lead epidemiological investigations of diseases which are identified at an abattoir. They have an important front-line role to play in identifying notifiable diseases. Beyond their initial training, they are more likely to take a leading role

Related FAQs

  • If I work in mixed practice, will it take me longer to complete VetGDP?

    One of the downsides to the PDP was it was one size fits all, whereas one of the key benefits of VetGDP is that it is personalised. You will be able to work through the aspects of your job and what’s relevant in your workplace which might be different to somebody else’s in a different job. In mixed practice your Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) would cover different aspects to those for, say, a government role or in equine practice.

  • Can VetGDP count towards CPD?

    VetGDP will count towards your CPD requirement. We view undertaking and completing the VetGDP as 18 months' worth of CPD and it is therefore equivalent to 52.5 hours of CPD. VetGDP will cover your first 18 months of CPD and you can record these hours across years during that time period.

  • When does VetGDP begin?

    We introduced the VetGDP in summer 2021.

    When new veterinary graduates begin their first job, they will need to get a commitment from their employer that they are signed up to VetGDP, and that there will be a VetGDP Adviser in the workplace to support them.

    When veterinary graduates join the workplace, the vet who will be their VetGDP Adviser must have completed the online training. 

    You should begin your VetGDP as soon as you start your first role.

  • Has VetGDP replaced the PDP?

    Yes, the VetGDP replaced PDP for new graduate vets from summer 2021. Any vets who are currently on the PDP will continue on that path. VetGDP applies to any graduate vets employed from summer 2021.

  • Will there be enough practices/employers with a VetGDP Adviser, capable of taking this year’s cohort of graduates?

    There are more fully trained VetGDP Advisers than there are yearly graduates.

    These vets are located throughout the four nations, and they have been on the Register for an average of 15 years, so new graduates will benefit from their experience. We will be recruiting on an ongoing basis to ensure that we have a sufficient numbers of vets on board, in both small independent practices and larger corporate practices.

  • How do I find an RCVS Approved Graduate Development Practice?

    When you start looking for a job, some employers may indicate that they are an RCVS Approved Graduate Development Practice, either on their website, social media or other channels. If you don’t see this however, please don’t assume they’re not an approved practice, as they may be working towards it or just may not have advertised it yet. If they are not, ask them if they are happy to do so because you will need to complete VetGDP.

    You can find RCVS Approved practices by using our Find a Vet website.

  • Once I start the VetGDP what is the expected time scale before sign-off?

    For those graduates who have started their VetGDP before 2024 we suggest a time limit of 12-18 months, but your record shows that you have three years to complete the programme. For those who start the VetGDP after 1 January 2024 there is an 18 month time limit. If you feel you may need longer than this, please talk to us in plenty of time. You can contact [email protected]

  • Are there any restrictions on which practices to apply to, and when?

    Your practice should be an RCVS Approved Graduate Development Practice, meaning that they have at least one VetGDP Adviser within the practice. The training for the VetGDP Adviser is 20 hours of free, flexible, online training.

  • If I enter a completely non-veterinary role will VetGDP still be a requirement?

    If your role does not require you to be MRCVS, then you can apply for an exemption. However, if your role includes areas which require the knowledge that you have gained in your veterinary degree, then it is likely that the VetGDP can be adapted to support you.

    You will need to participate in the VetGDP if you are in a Government veterinary role, working for the food standards agency, working as an OV, working for the APHA, in animal welfare, as an inspector, in veterinary audit, meat hygiene inspectors, policy writers, epidemiologists, research roles, and so on.

    If you need assistance in finding EPAs to suit your role, or in crafting your own EPA to suit your role, then please do contact us at [email protected].

  • Does it take longer to complete if you choose more EPAs?

    The Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are the framework that describe activities in your role and the vast majority will be very similar in different roles, but there will be some roles that are very specific in one area but have more depth, others in mixed practice may be broader. It is personal and self-directed so you can design your own programme to suit yourself and continue to do it until you are confident.

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