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 held at the RCVS, 1 Hardwick Street, London, EC1R 4RB (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.

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.

All veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses registered with the RCVS can access the Academy. Overseas qualified veterinary professional preparing to join the RCVS registers will be provided with access to the Academy to support their preparation to be UK-registered professionals. Student veterinary nurses registered with the RCVS can also access the Academy. We are currently exploring access options for student veterinary surgeons.

Once a veterinary surgeon has met their ‘under care’ obligations pursuant to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (as amended), and Chapter 4 of the supporting guidance to the Code of Conduct, they may delegate the dispensing/supply of those POM-Vs or veterinary medicinal products under the cascade to a team member.  In order to do this, the prescribing veterinary surgeon must authorise each transaction individually before it is supplied (see next section for further information) and 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 be a 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 and veterinary medicinal products under the cascade, is set out at paragraphs 4.37 - 4.41 of Chapter 4, as follows:

4.37  A veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse who is also an SQP who prescribes a POM-VPS veterinary medicinal product, or supplies a NFA-VPS veterinary medicinal product, and a veterinary surgeon who prescribes a POM-V or a veterinary medicinal product under the cascade is required:

1. before they do so, to 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 they do so, to advise on the safe administration of the veterinary medicinal product;
3. when they do so, to advise as necessary on any warnings or contra-indications on the label or package leaflet;
4. to not prescribe (or in the case of a NFA-VPS product, supply) more than the minimum amount required for the treatment

4.38 The VMRs 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.

4.39 The prescribing veterinary surgeon or SQP is required to be present when POM-Vs, POM-VPS, or NAF-VPS are handed over unless they have authorised each transaction individually before the product is supplied and is satisfied that the person handing it over is competent to do so.

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

4.41  It is illegal under the VMRs to use or supply a veterinary medicinal product that has passed its expiry date.

Schedule 2 Controlled Drugs (CD) must be destroyed in the presence of a witness. A witness can be a veterinary surgeon who is independent from the practice where the CD is destroyed. This also applies to Schedules 3 and 4 CDs that have been prepared extemporaneously for use under the Cascade. To be considered independent this vet:

• Must not demand or accept any form of payment, beyond that which is reasonable to cover travel costs.
• Must record their RCVS number and confirm their independence in the CD register.
• Must have no personal, professional, or financial interest in or relationship with the veterinary practice where the drug is being destroyed (for example, temporary staff and family members of staff are not considered to be independent; ‘family member’ refers to spouse, partners, parents, siblings, children or other relatives).
• Must not share stock with or provide services (with exception of the function as a witness to the destruction of CDs) to the practice where the drugs are being destroyed.
• May work for the same franchise or corporate group provided the practices have a different owner and are separate legal entities.

To maintain independence, the vet destroying the CDs should not use the same witness repeatedly for the destruction of CDs at their practice.

The VMD guidance on the disposal of controlled drugs provides further examples of when a vet would be considered “independent”.

Attendees are split into four broad groups. The first is the Committee itself, and the people directly assisting it. For veterinary surgeon hearings, this includes 5 to 7 members who are a mix of veterinary surgeons and lay members. For Veterinary Nurse hearings, there are three members comprised of a lay person, a Registered Veterinary Nurse and a veterinary surgeon, . There will also be the Legal Assessor whose job it is to advise the DC on the relevant law. There will also be one or two DC Clerks in attendance, as well as a shorthand notetaker.

The second group is the RCVS which includes the RCVS solicitor who has been liaising with you and the external barrister who is presenting the case. There may also be other witnesses (including an expert witness).

The third group is the Respondent’s team. This includes the veterinary professional as well as any representation they have (for example a barrister, solicitor and/or someone from their professional indemnity insurers). It may also include any witnesses or experts they intend to call.

The final group is the public. DC hearings are generally open to the public, but it is quite rare that members of the public attend if they have no interest in or connection to the case. It is often those with an interest in the hearing (e.g. family members or friends). The press can also attend the hearing if they wish to.

You are being called as a witness as you have either raised concerns regarding a registered veterinary professional or are a witness to events that somebody else has raised concerns about. You will have already been interviewed and given a formal statement to RCVS’ external solicitors.

On this occasion, a decision has recently been made by the Preliminary Investigation Committee to refer the matter to the Disciplinary Committee (‘DC’) for a hearing which means that those who have provided a witness statement are required to attend and give evidence.

It is important that those who have provided witness statements are available on the day of the hearing so that both parties, and the DC, have the opportunity to ask questions and better understand the incident(s) complained about.

The A-Foundations of Advanced Veterinary Practice.1 module is compulsory for all CertAVP candidates. These cover skills that the RCVS considers important for all competent veterinarians to be able to demonstrate, whatever their area of practice. The inclusion of modules covering essential key professional and clinical skills is designed to ensure that topics which are of importance to all areas of practice - including welfare and ethics, biosecurity, and evidence-based approaches to medicine - are covered by everyone achieving the qualification.