BVA Welcomes Consultation To Improve Regulation Of Vets

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the publication of proposals by Defra to improve the regulation of vets by reconstituting the committees of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Defra has launched a public consultation on proposals for a Legislative Reform Order (LRO) to amend the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. The LRO would require the RCVS Preliminary Investigation Committee (PIC) and Disciplinary Committee (DC) to be made up of veterinary surgeons and lay members who are not RCVS Council members and who are appointed at arm’s length. This would separate the responsibilities for setting the rules (Council), investigating complaints (PIC) and hearing cases (DC). Commenting, Carl Padgett, President of the BVA, said: “The BVA has long believed that the disciplinary functions of the RCVS could be improved and we welcome the publication of this consultation. “The veterinary profession is well regulated but it is essential that our regulatory system is seen as transparent, open and fair by animal owners, other members of the public, and veterinary surgeons alike. “These proposals aim to bring the veterinary profession in line with best practice in professional regulation. “The BVA is urging members to discuss the proposals and feed their views into us for our consultation response.”

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