RCVS outlines ‘under care’ and 24/7 cover review details

Details of wide-ranging plans for a review of “under care” and out-of-hours emergency cover were revealed by the RCVS today (13 September 2019).

The plans include a broad timetable for the review’s three key phases of evidence gathering, policy drafting and public consultation.

The review, announced earlier this year, was recommended to RCVS council by its standards committee following lengthy and detailed exploration of the implications of new technologies for both animal health and welfare and veterinary regulation.

Areas of consideration

The main areas under consideration include the provision of 24-hour emergency cover and the interpretation and application of an animal being under the care of a veterinary surgeon.

The initial stages of the review had been drafted for standards committee to consider at its meeting on 9 September, where the outline timetable was also discussed.

Standards committee chair Melissa Donald, said: “This is set to become one of our most fundamental reviews of RCVS guidance in recent years.

“Considering the complexity of the issues in question, and their importance to animal owners and the professions alike, it is vital we allow ourselves enough time to ensure this review is as thorough and comprehensive as possible.

“We have a clear responsibility to seek, understand and, where we can, accommodate the opinions and experiences of as many different people from within and around the professions and the public as possible. I would urge my fellow vets and vet nurses to please find some time to consider these issues very carefully over the coming weeks and months, and to send us their views.”

Duration

The review will comprise several key stages and is expected to take around 12 months to complete. The outline timetable, which may be subject to change, is as follows:

• October – January 2020: six-week call for evidence, followed by independent qualitative analysis of all evidence received
• February – March 2020: select committee-style meetings and independent qualitative analysis of additional evidence gathered (note: this stage is subject to standards committee requirements, depending on the evidence gathered)
• April – June 2020: consider all evidence and draft any new policy
• July – August 2020: six-week public consultation on draft policy
• September – October 2020: independent review of consultation responses, and production of any proposals for change
• November 2020: finalise any proposals for change and publish any new guidance

Stakeholder engagement

The college said it would be supporting and promoting the various stages of the review and planning a programme of stakeholder engagement. It will also provide regular updates on progress to both council and the wider professions.

A website where review progress can be monitored is also available, the college said today.