S. Teamworking

RCVS guidance for veterinary surgeons working within an organisation or practice as part of a team

Veterinary surgeons:

1. must ensure any working systems, practices or protocols allow veterinary practise in accordance with the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct;
2. must communicate with colleagues within the organisation or practice, to co-ordinate the care of patients and the delivery of veterinary services;
3. must regularly review work within the team, to ensure the health and welfare of patients;
4. must account, individually or collectively, for medicines (including drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act) obtained for use within the organisation or practice; [Specific rules apply in certain cases, for example Named Veterinary Surgeons working within research establishments.]
5. must communicate relevant responsibilities, particularly those in relation to the care of animals and certification, to non-veterinary surgeons within the team;
6. should consider communicating with a senior veterinary surgeon within organisation or practice on any professional conduct issue that they cannot resolve. A senior veterinary surgeon may be a veterinary surgeon who is a line manager, the principal, a senior partner or the Chief Veterinary Surgeon (CVS) of the organisation, as appropriate;
7. may bring to the attention of the RCVS, any professional conduct issue which remains unresolved after a written approach has been made in terms of paragraph 6 above;

Professional Conduct Department 17 January 2003