BVA welcomes plan for under care and 24/7 cover guidance review

The British Veterinary Association has today (13 September 2019) welcomed outline plans for a wide-ranging review of guidance on the concept of ‘under care’ and out-of-hours cover in the veterinary profession.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has published further details on the review including a broad timetable for its three key phases of evidence gathering, policy drafting, and public consultation up to November 2020.  The review was recommended to RCVS Council by its Standards Committee and will also consider the implications of new technologies for both animal health and welfare and veterinary regulation.

Simon Doherty, BVA President, said:

“We’re very pleased to see that the details of this major review have been set out in a comprehensive and timely way.  The concept of ‘under care’ and the future role of telemedicine are very live topics within the veterinary profession at the moment, and BVA is making it one of our key priorities over the next 12 months to gauge our members’ views and further develop our own position on these areas.

“It’s really important that all views are heard on such a complex and sensitive area and we look forward to seeing RCVS leading an open and collaborative consultation process across the veterinary community.”