1. The traditional methods of running a veterinary practice, either as a single handed veterinary surgeon or through a partnership, have evolved and expanded to meet the changing needs of the profession and its clients.
Limited service providers
Relationships with colleagues
- Principals and assistants
- Speaking or writing about colleagues within or outside the practice
- Examinations on behalf of a third party
- Mutual clients
- Veterinary surgeons employed by commercial and industrial organisations
- Disputes between veterinary surgeons
2. In terms of section 19 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, only registered members of the RCVS are permitted to practise veterinary surgery in the United Kingdom. Similarly only holders of registrable qualifications are entitled to register.
3. The College's jurisdiction applies to each individual member whose responsibilities in terms of this Guide apply, whether they are employed as an assistant, in a corporate body or other organisation, or working in a partnership.
4. Veterinary surgeons may now enter into partnership with non-veterinary surgeons. It is however essential that the partnership agreement includes a clause reserving all clinical decisions to the veterinary surgeon partners.
5. All obligations incumbent upon any single practice apply equally to practices based in pet superstores.
6. On the death of a single handed veterinary surgeon or sole owner of a practice, another person may continue to run the practice as manager for the executo or personal representatives of the deceased veterinary surgeon for a reasonable time. 'Reasonable' in this context will vary according to individual circumstances, but the RCVS is always ready to offer advice and assistance if the need arises.
Limited service providers
Neutering clinics
7. Animal welfare must always be the first consideration and veterinary surgeons working in such practices must:
a. have the appropriate facilities required for any small animal practice providing a similar service
b. ensure that a full pre-operative examination is carried out to establish fitness for surgery and freedom from intercurrent disease. If a disease is identified the animal must be re-directed to its regular veterinary surgeon, or to an appropriate animal charity for treatment BEFORE surgery
c. make provision for 24-hour emergency cover for the entire post-operative period during which complications arising from the surgery may develop
8. Vaccination clinics must similarly:
a. have the appropriate facilities required for these services in small animal practice
b. carry out a full health check, and contact the animal's regular veterinary surgeon if it is already under treatment
c. give advice on feeding and worming as part of the vaccination programme
d. make provision for 24-hour emergency cover for the period in which adverse reactions might arise
Relationship with colleagues
Principals and assistants
9. The law requires employers to provide a written statement relating to the terms and conditions of employment within eight weeks of the start of employment, and an employee should be advised in writing of any subsequent changes to their terms and conditions of employment.
Speaking or writing about colleagues within or outside the practice
10. No veterinary surgeon should speak or write disparagingly of a colleague to a third party, since the effect is to undermine public confidence in the profession.
11. This does NOT however apply to evidence given in a court of law and in instances where professional negligence or misconduct may be involved and where in the interests of justice, everyone must be able to speak freely.
Examinations on behalf of a third party
12. When asked by an insurance company or similar body to examine an animal already undergoing veterinary treatment, the attending veterinary surgeon should be notified of the time and date on which the examination is to take place. If asked to perform a post-mortem examination the primary veterinary surgeon should be notified and given the opportunity to provide any information which they feel may be relevant. The post-mortem report, however, is the property of the client.
Pre-purchase Examinations (PPEs)
13. Pre-purchase examinations (‘PPEs’) of horses are carried out at the request of a potential purchaser (or agent), to determine, so far as is possible by clinical examination, whether the animal is suitable for the intended use. It is preferable that the vendor's veterinary surgeon does not carry out the 'Examination on Behalf of a Purchaser' because of the conflict of interest. However, it may be that for valid reasons the vendor's veterinary surgeon is asked to carry out the examination. Valid reasons include, for example:
a logistical problems including the possible distance and expense incurred in employing another veterinary surgeon to examine the horse
b the particular expertise of the vendor’s veterinary surgeon
14. The RCVS accepts that the vendor's veterinary surgeon may carry out the examination if the following additional safeguards are taken to ensure the examination is not only fair, but perceived to be fair by the client requesting it:
a. the veterinary surgeon makes the purchaser aware that the vendor is also a client and the potential purchaser has no objection. If there is an objection, the vendor's veterinary surgeon must not act
b. the vendor agrees to permit disclosure of relevant clinical/case records. If permission cannot be obtained then the vendor's veterinary surgeon should not act. If the records reveal a factor which is likely to be prejudicial to the purchaser’s intended use, the purchaser should be informed with the vendor’s permission in advance of the examination
c. it is made clear to both parties that in this instance the veterinary surgeon is acting on behalf of the purchaser
15. Where different veterinary surgeons are treating the same animal or group of animals, each may prescribe medicines for administration to those animals. Each must, however, keep the other informed of any examinations of the animals, relevant clinical information and medicines prescribed (whether medicines are supplied or not), so as to avoid any danger that might arise from conflicting advice or adverse reactions arising from unsuitable combinations of medicines (see Part 2H, The use of veterinary medicinal products).
16. Even where two veterinary surgeons are treating different groups of animals owned by the same client, it is still advisable for each to keep the other informed of any problem which might affect their work.
Veterinary surgeons employed by commercial and industrial organisations
17. Any veterinary surgeon employed by a commercial organisation, and required to visit a farm, must notify the regular practice of the proposed visit and report any findings or advice given which will be relevant to the day to day veterinary care of the animals. Members of Animal Health (formerly the State Veterinary Service) should keep the regular practice fully informed of any matters relating to any developing disease or animal welfare problem about which official action is to be taken or of any relevant significant or developing disease. Unless this information is provided there will be a danger of conflicting and possibly detrimental advice being given.
Disputes between veterinary surgeons
18. In the interests of the whole profession veterinary surgeons are advised to make every effort to resolve their disputes out of court.
19. This may involve an informal procedure such as mediation or conciliation where an independent person is chosen by the parties to assist them in reaching a mutually acceptable solution. Neither a mediator nor a conciliator has any power to impose a solution.
20. Arbitration is also an alternative to litigation, the object of which 'is to obtain a fair resolution of disputes by an impartial tribunal without unnecessary delay or expense' (Arbitration Act 1996). It is a formal and binding procedure where the appointment of an arbitrator is frequently made in consultation with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. It is prudent to include a clause in partnership agreements or contracts between principals and assistants which provides for arbitration after other forms of dispute resolution have been tried and before recourse to the courts. The clause will normally specify the method of appointing the arbitrator and the rules.
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