Practice Standards Scheme: countdown to launch

The countdown to the introduction of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme is now underway, with the launch scheduled for 1 January 2005. 

The new Scheme will draw together existing standards from the BSAVA and RCVS/BVHA Schemes, and, for the first time, will allow for accreditation of Core Practices, Equine and Farm Animal General Practices and Emergency Service Clinics, as well as Small Animal General Practices, Equine and Small Animal Hospitals and VN Training Practices.   

Under the new Scheme, all practice premises must be reviewed so that every branch will be subject to inspection, not just the main practice premises. Multiple accreditations are also possible; hence, main premises could be accredited both as an Equine Hospital and Farm Animal general practice, and with its branches accredited at Core standard.  

Accreditation as a small animal or equine general practice includes Veterinary Nursing Training Practice (TP) standards. This means that while a TP would still need to apply to the Veterinary Nursing Accreditation Centre (VNAC) for approval, (which would also inspect training resources), the VNAC would recognise status awarded within the Practice Standards Scheme and would not require to inspect the standards of a TP. 

Benefits of the Scheme

For the first time there will be one scheme to represent standards of the profession, which will bring many potential benefits. For clients, it will provide more information about a specific practice giving more choice as well as assurance that standards are being set and monitored. It should also assist in meeting client expectations of a practice. At the same time it should enable the wider public to have greater confidence in veterinary services as standards are raised and maintained across the profession via the Scheme. 

For an individual practice, compliance with the Scheme's standards should help to set a regular framework for review of practice policy and assist with adherence to legal requirements. In turn this should build a basis for pride in the practice, boosting staff morale and satisfaction, and help to attract high quality employees.  

Accreditation

Accreditation under the Scheme is currently voluntary, though this could change under a new Veterinary Surgeons Act. Consultation with the profession revealed an overwhelming preference for a mandatory scheme.  

Training Practices and existing members of the BSAVA and RCVS/BVHA schemes are eligible for entry into the Scheme from 1 January 2005, and in the very near future we will be writing to all such practices with a detailed information pack inviting them to join.    

The Scheme is for everyone, so any practice can apply for accreditation. Inspection is required by an RCVS approved Inspector, and will take place thereafter every four years (however, practices potentially may be subject to 'spot checks' between inspections). Also, practices will be required to certify annually that they remain in compliance with the standards. For practices joining after 1 January 2005 there is a joining fee of £400 for a main practice premises including branch premises. In subsequent years the Annual Fee is £225 for a main practice and £50 for each branch. 

Although the Scheme does not formally come into effect until 1 January 2005, practices can be inspected at any time before the end of the 2004 to the new standards. A practice - whether a Small Animal, Equine, Farm Animal or Emergency Service Practice, or a Small Animal or Equine Hospital, can therefore be inspected currently either by BSAVA, or by the RCVS at current rates. The advantage of this is that as a member of that scheme the practice would automatically be eligible for membership of the new Scheme with effect from 1 January 2005 without payment of the joining fee; the annual fee for 2005 would also be waived. 

Copies of the Standards and further information about any aspect of the Scheme are available from Eleanor Ferguson  (020 7202 0767 or [email protected]). Finalised Standards and further details of the Scheme will be available on the RCVS website shortly.