Professionals

Our updated guidance, effective from 14 April, emphasised that as ever, we trust veterinary professionals to make decisions based on the specific situation with which they are faced, and their local knowledge. As such, our flowchart very much focuses on how you work, rather than what you are doing. There will be some who make different clinical decisions to others; but I’d like to reassure you of two things:

• We understand the extreme challenges and difficult decisions you are facing and have no interest in taking anyone to task for considered professional judgement, providing you act reasonably in the circumstances, can justify your actions and take reasonable notes.
• The flowchart does not in any way represent ‘business as usual’. Decisions need to be taken in the light of the current very stringent government advice for social distancing – and that applies to clients and staff.

We have compiled answers to the most common queries we’re receiving at the College. While I hope we have been able to address your concern, please contact our advice team if you need guidance on a specific situation you find yourself in: advice@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0789.

Niall Connell MRCVS
RCVS President

Frequently Asked Questions

• Retention fees

Working in practice

• FAQ 4 – Can I prescribe POM-V medicines via remote means without a physical examination?
• FAQ 6 – I am concerned that my practice/employer is not following government guidelines. What can I do?
• FAQ 7 – Do I still need to do CPD this year?
• FAQ 10 – Are veterinary surgeons classed as ‘key workers’ under the government’s recent announcement?
• FAQ 14 – What is happening to this year’s Statutory Examination for Membership?

Veterinary professionals

• FAQ 17 – How can I help in the national effort to fight the pandemic?
• FAQ 18 – I don’t understand why the guidance on what veterinary treatments can be given has changed? Government advice on social distancing hasn’t been updated and the NHS are still prioritising emergency treatment so why is veterinary care different?
• FAQ 19 – The updated guidance seems to support practices delivering routine treatments. I am worried that I can’t give treatment and ensure social distancing at the same time.
• FAQ 23 – Are veterinary professionals returning from overseas travel exempt from the new quarantine rules?