Yorkshire vet's judgement postponed for two years

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This is an archived news story.

The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has decided to postpone for two years its judgement on an inquiry into a Yorkshire-based veterinary surgeon who faces a number of charges relating to his abuse of alcohol.

The postponement is subject to conditions to which the respondent, Mr William Wylie Sim, has agreed.

At a previous hearing in July 2005, Mr Sim had admitted that his drink-driving conviction at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court in May 2005 rendered him unfit to practise veterinary surgery. He also admitted being guilty of serious professional misconduct having been under the influence of alcohol on a number of occasions whilst working.

The judgement on the July 2005 hearing was adjourned until January 2006, on the basis that Mr Sim agreed to participate in a treatment programme arranged, via the Veterinary Surgeons Health Support Programme, and gave an undertaking not to practise as a veterinary surgeon during the adjournment period.

In the meantime, Mr Sim was faced with a new charge: that of disclosing inaccurate information surrounding his drink driving conviction and failing to correct this when he knew, or ought to have known, that it was incorrect. At a hearing which concluded on 31 January 2006, the Disciplinary Committee found that Mr Sim ought to have known the information provided by him was inaccurate and that he should have taken steps to correct it. He was found guilty of disgraceful professional conduct on that basis. 

At the January hearing, the Committee heard from Mr Sim's Counsel that the respondent's medical advisors are confident of his commitment to the alcohol recovery programme and that, in their opinion, if Mr Sim was to return to some kind of veterinary work it would assist his continued progress.

Mr Brian Jennings, Chairman of the Committee said: "We have a responsibility to protect the public and animals from harm or abuse. There is no evidence that Mr Sim is anything other than a competent veterinary surgeon, but when under the influence of drink his behaviour deteriorates and he can be abusive.

"Given the circumstances surrounding the offences, and the over-riding fact that they all resulted from his alcohol addiction we decided that a two-year postponement, subject to the conditions outlined, was reasonable."

The conditions are as follows:

(a) That Mr Sim does not consume alcohol.

(b) That he continues his therapy under the supervision of Dr Heston, or another suitably-qualified person.

(c) That he provides blood samples for testing, which may also be requested randomly by the College from time to time.

(d) That Dr. Heston or another suitably qualified person gives a written report of Mr Sim's progress and prognosis, initially quarterly.

(e) That he be allowed to practise as a veterinary surgeon provided that he agrees to attend only those cases where he has made a prior arrangement, in each case with the client's regular veterinary surgeon or practice, to provide any necessary assistance or after-care.

Any adverse report or breach of these undertakings may result in a resumed hearing.