RCVS Practice Standards Scheme: an update on progress

Lynne Hill, Chairman of the RCVS Practice Standards Working Party, reports on the encouraging uptake of the Practice Standards Scheme and provides an update on ongoing developments since its launch at the start of this year.

Since the new RCVS Practice Standards Scheme was launched on 1 January 2005, the overall reaction from the profession has been very positive.

In addition to the 400 or so information packs sent automatically to accredited members of the previous BSAVA and RCVS/BVHA Schemes, we have received around 1,100 requests for joining packs.

Some have come from veterinary nurse training practices, but even more importantly, practices that have not previously been part of any scheme formed a significant proportion (approximately 25%) and to date some 50 new inspections have already been arranged. Notably, these cover the range of categories - Farm Animal, Equine, Emergency Service Clinic as well as Small Animal - and all Tiers.

Much hard work was put into getting the paperwork right and many practices have commented favourably on the assistance they feel the Scheme gives them, particularly though the checklists for Tiers 1 and 2, by providing specific accessible information on what is required, although on first glance these may seem formidable! This is especially heartening as one of the basic aims of the Scheme has been to help the profession put the fundamentals in place.

There has been some criticism in the press that the Scheme does not go far enough, particularly that it does not deal in enough depth with issues of clinical governance and quality of service. These were not areas covered in any of the previous schemes, but they have been introduced in the new standards. The Scheme as launched is only the first step in what will be an evolving process.

Clinical governance is recognised as important and it forms part of the agenda for the Scheme's ongoing development.  Ideas from any organisations and members of the profession on taking the Scheme forward in this, or indeed any other areas, are welcome.

On the topic of future development, the Practice Standards Working Party (which was made up of representatives from BSAVA, BVHA, BEVA, BVA, BCVA and RCVS) was conscious of potential difficulties in attempting to go too far too soon when we had the initial issues of amalgamating the previous schemes, updating them and widening them into areas of practice not previously covered and to try to promote compliance with standards at the most fundamental level.

Some have stated that by not being mandatory, the Scheme is weakened. However the imposition of a mandatory scheme at this point was not possible under current legislation and indeed would not be helpful in trying to assist practices to comply. The scheme is using a carrot rather than a stick to improve standards within the profession and at this point we need to ensure we have got the basic structure right.

Extension of the scheme into new areas is likely to occur but we must remember that the new standards have moved on greatly from the last revision of both the Hospital and BSAVA standards.

All practices already accredited under the BSAVA or the RCVS/BVHS scheme are automatically eligible for accreditation under the Scheme. However, to turn eligibility into actual accreditation those practices must notify the College that they wish to be part of the Scheme by completing the application process.

On a practical note, a few comments have also been made regarding the paperwork. It appears that some confusion may have arisen from 'mixing and matching' of old and new documents in the latter part of 2004.

All documentation relating to the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme, including the standards, rules, checklists, application forms and more, can be downloaded from the dedicated online practice standards section . Information for the general public can also be found there.

What's more, accredited practices are highlighted as such in the results of searches on the popular Find A Vet service.

The College is happy to discuss with practices their individual situations and queries on any aspects of the Scheme ([email protected] or 020 7202 0767).

Finally, for those members of the profession attending this year's BSAVA Congress, members of the RCVS working party and staff will be available on both the RCVS (E44) and BSAVA stands in the Exhibition Hall to discuss the Scheme and sign up new members.

For delegates, there will also be a dedicated question and answer session on the Scheme and other RCVS initiatives on Friday 8 April at 4.50pm. Join us for a glass of wine in Hall 10 of the National Indoor Arena and have your questions answered.