RCVS President addresses Welsh Senedd on the need for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act

On Monday 20 May 2024, our President Dr Sue Paterson FRCVS attended a virtual meeting at the Welsh Senedd, where she provided evidence to the Senedd Cymru Petitions Committee, citing the need for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act.

The short inquiry, which was prompted by a 308-name petition ‘Hold an enquiry into the corporate takeover of the veterinary profession in Wales’, heard evidence from four parties: Dr Julia Mewes MRCVS, founder and owner of independent vet practice, The Mewes Vets, Caroline Allen, Chief Veterinary Officer at RSPCA Cymru, and Carlie Power, from charity Cats Matter, as well as from Dr Paterson.

Dr Mewes and Dr Paterson, present in the first session, were asked a number of questions by the panel concerning changes to the veterinary landscape since 1999, which is when non-vets were first allowed to own veterinary practices; the impact that these changes have had on veterinary professionals, animal owners, and the wider community; and, whether the changes have had an impact on standards of animal care.

The session began with Dr Paterson providing an overview of how the veterinary sector has changed since 1999. She explained that around 50% of veterinary practices in the UK are currently owned by the seven biggest veterinary groups with Wales at a slightly lower rate of 41%. She also cited that there have been many advancements since 1999, including new drugs, CT/MRI diagnostics, and routine surgical interventions like cataract surgery.

She also highlighted the fact that public awareness of specialisation has grown due to media interest, that pet insurance cover has increased, and that the voluntary Practice Standards Scheme was launched by the RCVS in 2005. However, she noted that currently the RCVS only has the statutory powers to regulate veterinary professionals and not practices, and that that is a ‘huge hole in the regulatory process and something that we’d very much like to put right’.

She later went on to explain our role and regulatory limitations under the current Veterinary Surgeons Act, which dates from 1966. She said: “We have been working really hard to try and get a new Veterinary Surgeons Act and, so far, our pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

“We're hoping to try to get some leverage over the next 12 to 18 months. We need to modernise our whole regulatory system. Back in 1966, practices were owned by vets and, therefore, by regulating vets, we regulated practices. With the change back in 1999, veterinary surgeries could be owned by non-vets, and therefore we have progressively lost control of our ability to regulate practices because they're no longer always vet owned.

“Under our Royal Charter we have our Royal College activities, which include our Practice Standards Scheme. However, this is a voluntary scheme, and it is up to the practices as to whether they want to join or not.”

In the inquiry, Dr Paterson also highlighted the current workforce crisis, and what is currently being done by the College to help improve the situation, as well as addressing the current cost of veterinary care.

When speaking about pricing, she said: “We have absolutely no jurisdiction over the prices the practices charge, and of course practices will charge differently depending on where they are and what their overheads are, so prices can never be the same across the country. But again, our guidance is very strict in this, and it says that veterinary surgeons must not have a different pricing structure for clients who are insured versus clients who are not insured.

“We [veterinary professionals] care passionately about animal health and welfare. So, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses still treat animals compassionately. As far as costs are concerned, costs have increased…I think advances in veterinary medicine and the cost of drugs, and the cost of equipment have increased and, therefore, prices have to reflect that cost.”

Since giving evidence, it has been announced by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that there will be a formal market investigation into veterinary services in the domestic pet market – a move that has been welcomed by the RCVS. 

Our full response to the CMA investigation is available. 

A full transcript of the Senedd Cymru Petitions Committee meeting can be viewed on the Senedd Cymru website.

Note: this article has been amended. References to 'Welsh Government' have been changed to 'Senedd Cymru' (Welsh Parliament).