Survey reveals vets optimistic for their own economic future

It's the final call for comments on the draft new RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, as the consultation closes on Friday, 24 June 2011.   The new draft Code, which is intended to replace the existing RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, was produced by a Working Party set up by the RCVS Advisory Committee.   The new Code is a short, principles-based document using the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe's Code of Conduct as the starting point. It will be supported by additional advice on specific areas of veterinary practice or issues, for example, clinical governance.   New requirements in the Code include compulsory continuing professional development, the RCVS Health Protocol and more on clinical competence. It also contains an updated declaration to be made by veterinary surgeons, which gives increased emphasis to animal welfare.   The new Code, together with the consultation paper, can be downloaded at:  www.rcvs.org.uk/codeconsultation   Comments, which ...

Birthday Honours List

RCVS recognise veterinary achievement

Following ongoing lobbying by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and other veterinary bodies the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has dropped controversial plans for a new veterinary medicines category - POM EA (prescription-only medicine extended administration).   The proposed category has been discussed at the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) since 2009. The original purpose was to provide a new category under which a veterinary surgeon would make a clinical assessment and, if appropriate, issue a Veterinary Permission of Extended Administration (VPEA) allowing the animal holder to obtain the prescribed POM EA medicine (from a veterinarian, pharmacist or SQP) for up to 36 months from the date of authorisation.     The BVA, along with its specialist divisions, opposed POM EA from the outset and failed to see that there was any justification for a new category. Veterinary surgeons are already able to write prescriptions for extended use and, as most health plans are reviewed annually, anything beyon ...

Chance to win free Congress registration

Outbreak of Dourine (Trypanosoma equiperdum) in Italy

Documentation of equine semen being shipped within the UK

On 2nd June 2011 the RCVS Council approved a revised pre-purchase examination certificate and a new "guidance notes" to replace the existing "joint memorandum". These documents have been developed by the BEVA Pre-purchase Examination Committee, chaired by Malcolm Morley, and will come into use on 8th September 2011, the first day of BEVA congress. The existing documents were overdue for review, remaining unchanged since 1986. As an example, the existing joint memorandum states that "in the present state of knowledge, it is not possible to store and analyse blood samples" and makes no mention of flexion tests or trotting on a circle on a firm surface. The certificate has been updated to reflect current practice and comply with recent RCVS guidance regarding examinations where the seller is a client of the examining veterinary surgeon. Key facts: Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ...

‘Looking back: stepping forward’ – seminar to celebrate 50 years of veterinary nursing