FAQs

Both graduates and VetGDP Advisers should log into the VetGDP through the desktop 1CPD link, which you will find in the top right hand corner of the RCVS website. The button for the VetGDP can be found on the top bar.

If you’re a graduate, you can record your reflections, feedback and progress against the different activities you and your VetGDP Adviser have identified as being part of your role. These activities are known as Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), and are simply high-level descriptions of the different activities.

As a VetGDP Adviser you will have access to the platform to support your graduate(s), with the ability to add your comments on either observed cases or activities, or progress review discussions. You will also be able to consider the evidence supporting progress across all activities with your graduate towards the end of the programme, to agree when to submit the portfolio to the RCVS for final peer review.

Hearings are normally held at locations in London (although occasionally hearings are remote where necessary) and in most cases witnesses are required to attend in person. If you will have difficulties attending in person, remote attendance may be possible. In order to attend remotely, we will need you to supply evidence to explain why you cannot attend in person. There is a formal legal procedure to go through to permit a witness to give their evidence remotely. Therefore, if you think you may need to attend remotely, please contact us immediately so this can be discussed further.

• Harper Adams University - You can find out more about Harper Adams University’s postgraduate courses on their website.
• Glasgow University - You can find out more about Glasgow University’s postgraduate courses on their website.
• Royal Veterinary College - You can find out more about the Royal Veterinary College's postgraduate courses on their website.
• University of Central Lancashire in conjunction with Myerscough College - You can find out more about the University of Central Lancashire in conjunction with Myerscough College's postgraduate courses on their website.
• Hartpury University - You can find out more about Hartpury University's postgraduate courses on their website.

It is expected that further providers and subject areas will become available over the coming months.

You can access further information on the CertAVN, and VN Futures, on the VN Futures website.

All of them. If your employment requires you to use your Veterinary degree and/or be MRCVS then you should participate in the VetGDP. If you are not sure how it would apply then please contact [email protected]

The CertAVN has allowed the providers to develop niche areas for further training and development, so you now have the option to train in the specific area of your choosing. The programme subjects will be available on the providers’ websites.

Module content will be released to you upon enrolment to the programme.

To become a VetGDP Adviser you need to be a veterinary surgeon and have been on the UK-Practising Register for a minimum of three years.

If you wish to discuss your eligibility, please contact us by emailing [email protected].

RCVS Education Department

T 020 7202 0702 or 020 7202 0791

E [email protected]

Information on who has access to PDP records is included under ‘Terms and Conditions of use of the Professional Development Record’. It is up to the graduate to decide whether they want to give their employer access to their online record. There is no compulsion to do so, as some may feel inhibited from recording their personal notes and reflections in their PDP record if they think their employer has unrestricted access. However, they can email a link to any page of their PDP or CPD record to anyone else of their choosing. This email link provides third-party access to a non-editable ‘snap shot’ page of the record, so could be useful when preparing for an appraisal meeting or other performance review. 

Currently, all veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses can access the Academy. Towards the end of this year, our student veterinary surgeons, nurses and those who are moving to the UK will also be provided with access to support their preparation to be UK-registered professionals.

Once a veterinary surgeon has met their ‘under care’ obligations pursuant to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, and Chapter 4 of the supporting guidance to the Code of Conduct, they may delegate the dispensing/supply of those POM-Vs to a team member.  They must be satisfied that the person handing it over to the client, is competent to do so. For the veterinary surgeon  to be satisfied the person dispensing must have knowledge of practice protocols (i.e. trained) and there must an SOP in place.

The prescribing and delegating veterinary surgeon will remain ultimately responsible, and their responsibilities associated with the prescription and supply of POM-Vs, is set out at paragraphs 4.32 - 4.34 of Chapter 4, as follows:

4.32  A veterinary surgeon or SQP who prescribes POM-VPS veterinary medicinal product, or supplies a NFA-VPS veterinary medicinal product, and a veterinary surgeon who prescribes a POM-V veterinary medicinal product must:

1. before s/he does so, be satisfied that the person who will use the product is competent to use it safely and intends to use it for a use for which it is authorised;
2. when s/he does so, advise on the safe administration of the veterinary medicinal product;
3. when s/he does so, advise as necessary on any warnings or contra-indications on the label or package leaflet; and
4. not prescribe (or in the case of a NFA-VPS product, supply) more than the minimum quantity required for the treatment.

4.33  The Veterinary Medicines Regulations do not define 'minimum amount' and the RCVS considers this must be a matter for the professional judgement of the veterinary surgeon in the individual case.

4.34  Veterinary medicinal products must be supplied in appropriate containers and with appropriate labelling.