Yorkshire vet's application for restoration dismissed

Please note
This is an archived news story.

At a hearing on 10 December 2007, the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons instructed that a Yorkshire-based veterinary surgeon should not have his name restored to the RCVS Register of Members after failing to satisfy them that he was able to abstain from alcohol.

On 9 November 2006, the Committee had instructed that the name of Mr William Wylie Sim, should be removed from the Register, having heard that he had consumed alcohol on at least three occasions since a hearing in January of that year, when he had agreed to abstain at all times.

The case began with a hearing in July 2005, when Mr Sim had admitted that his drink-driving conviction rendered him unfit to practise veterinary surgery. He also admitted being guilty of serious professional misconduct having been under the influence of alcohol at work on a number of occasions. The judgment at the July 2005 hearing was adjourned until January 2006, on the basis that Mr Sim agreed to participate in a treatment programme, and gave an undertaking not to practise as a veterinary surgeon during the adjournment period.

In January 2006, Mr Sim was found guilty of a new charge of disgraceful conduct concerning the truthfulness of information he had provided to the College. The Committee then decided to postpone judgement for two years on condition that Mr Sim did not consume alcohol, continued therapy under medical supervision and provided blood samples as requested. He was also required to produce evidence of his continuing professional development.

The Inquiry was resumed in November 2006, when the Committee heard that Mr Sim had consumed alcohol on at least three occasions since January. The Committee was concerned that Mr Sim appeared unable to abstain from alcohol at all times. At this point the Committee decided that his name should be removed from the Register.

At this week’s hearing Mr Sim, who appeared before the Committee without legal representation, provided the results of eight blood tests, all but one of which showed acceptable levels of biochemistry and haematology values. The Committee was also provided with evidence (admitted by Mr Sim) of a significant lapse into drinking, for the four-week period prior to 13 November 2007. Mr Sim also submitted a copy of his application for restoration of his driving license, but when questioned by the Committee, admitted that his answers to questions in relation to alcohol were incorrect, despite him having signed the form.

Noting its concern that Mr Sim had succumbed to alcohol almost immediately after making this application for reinstatement, and his apparent lack of honesty when signing the driving licence restoration form, and in spite of Mr Sim’s assurances that he would never drink again, the Committee concluded that there was no sufficient and reliable evidence from which this could reasonably be inferred.

Dr Nigel Swayne, Disciplinary Committee Chairman, said: “The Committee must uphold its duty to ensure the safety and welfare of animals and clients, and to maintain the reputation of the veterinary profession. The Committee has every sympathy with Mr Sim’s difficulties, but advises him to seek professional help in establishing a structured recovery plan. Mr. Sim’s application is therefore dismissed.”

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Ian Holloway
Senior Communications Officer, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
T 020 7202 0727, E [email protected], M. 07773 372767

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK and deals with issues of professional misconduct, maintaining the register of veterinary surgeons eligible to practise in the UK and assuring standards of veterinary education.

2. RCVS disciplinary powers are exercised through the Preliminary Investigation and Disciplinary Committees, established in accordance with Schedule 2 to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (the 1966 Act). The RCVS has authority to deal with three types of case:

a) Fraudulent registration

b) Criminal convictions

c) Allegations of disgraceful professional conduct

3. The Disciplinary Committee is a constituted judicial tribunal under the 1966 Act and follows rules of evidence similar to those used in a court of law.

4. Further information from the earlier parts of the Inquiry into Mr Sim can be found via www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary.