Supporting guidance
Chapters
1. Referrals and second opinions
Supporting guidance on when to responsibly refer, incentives, and second opinions.
2. Veterinary care
Supporting guidance on appropriate and adequate veterinary care, contextualised care, conscientious objection, and lawful industrial action.
3. 24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief
Supporting guidance on 24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief, also known as out of hours obligations.
4. Veterinary medicines
Supporting guidance on prescribing and supplying veterinary medicines, storage of controlled drugs, under care and clinical assessments, and responsible use of antimicrobials.
5. Communication between professional colleagues
Supporting guidance on obtaining clinical histories before treating animals and the sharing of relevant clinical information with colleagues, e.g., mutual client expectations.
6. Clinical governance
Supporting guidance on improving professional practice, patient safety, and ongoing critical discussion of evidence based clinical practice.
7. Equine pre-purchase examinations
Supporting guidance on equine vetting, including conflicts of interest.
8. Euthanasia of animals
Supporting guidance on euthanasia, including difficulties with the decision, proceeding without informed consent, and conscientious objections.
9. Practice information, fees, and animal insurance
Supporting guidance on fees, including prescription fees, estimates, fee disputes, written prescriptions, and animal insurance.
10. Consumer rights and freedom of choice
Consolidated supporting guidance on the importance of supporting and facilitating consumer choice.
11. Communication and consent
Supporting guidance on client relationships and informed consent, including in the context of wildlife.
12. Use and re-use of samples, images, post mortems and disposal
Supporting guidance on pathology, post-mortems, and taking samples from animals for testing beyond medical treatment, e.g., academic research or statutory disease control.
13. Clinical and client records
Supporting guidance on keeping appropriately detailed records, amending errors, and a client's right to access.
14. Client confidentiality
Supporting guidance on potential justifications for breaching client confidentiality to appropriate authorities, including guidance relating to animal welfare and public interest concerns.
15. Health Protocol
Supporting guidance on situations where a registrant's fitness to practise may be impaired because of adverse health, including when related to a caution or conviction.
16. Performance Protocol
Supporting guidance on responding to ongoing concerns about a registrant's professional performance.
17. Veterinary teams and leaders
Supporting guidance on the role of the appointed senior veterinary surgeon and additional responsibilities of those in leadership positions.
18. Delegation to veterinary nurses
Supporting guidance on delegating to veterinary nurses, including under Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.
19. Treatment of animals by unqualified persons
Supporting guidance on delegating to unqualified persons including lay practice staff members, veterinary students, farriers, and musculoskeletal therapists.
20. Raising concerns about a colleague
Supporting guidance on reporting inappropriate conduct of another registrant where it may affect their fitness to practise.
21. Certification
Supporting guidance on the 10 Principles of Certification and the integrity of the veterinary signature.
22. Giving evidence for court
Supporting guidance on providing witness or expert evidence in court and how to find an expert witness.
23. Protection of title, advertising, and endorsement
Supporting guidance on letters of non-objection, endorsing products and services, and general advertising including RCVS recognised titles of specialist and advanced practitioner.
24. Named Veterinary Surgeons
Supporting guidance on the role of Named Veterinary Surgeons employed under The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
25. Routine veterinary practice and clinical veterinary research
Supporting guidance on what constitutes routine veterinary practice and clinical veterinary research, and when to consider alternative regulation or licensing.
26. Working hours
Supporting guidance on the effect of the Working Time Regulation 1998 in the context of veterinary practice and the 24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief obligation.
27. Miscellaneous procedures: legal and ethical considerations
Supporting guidance on The Animal Welfare Acts, mutilations, and prohibited and unethical procedures.
28. Social media, online networking, and public life
Supporting guidance on considerations when using social media, including privacy, confidentiality, and the promotion of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.
29. Small animals and microchips
Supporting guidance on the compulsory microchipping of dogs and cats, ownership disputes, and stray/abandoned small animals.
30. Equines and microchips
Supporting guidance on the compulsory microchipping of equines, equine passports, and ownership disputes.