We have previously written detailed blogs on the complicated and unclear nature of specialisation and referral procedures in veterinary practice
11th August 2011: Is my veterinary specialist a proper specialist?
26th August 2011: Referral to a Specialist: Your freedom to choose (Provided you ask the right questions).
We strongly believe that the system of veterinary specialisation is currently unfair to the animal owning public and that it does not ensure that animal owners are always given the best options for care of their much loved pet. Pet owners need a system that is transparent and robust to ensure that they are always given the best possible advice when referral to a specialist is indicated. The public must also have absolute confidence in the qualification and re-accreditation of any veterinary surgeon they are seeing, especially those claiming “Specialist” status. At present this is not the case: The problem is a complex can of worms and if you have the time you might want to read the previous blogs to understand why.
There is, however, a glimmer of light on the horizon. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the body that governs the veterinary profession in the UK and which is charged with acting in the interests of the animals and the public, not the interests of the profession. A Working Party of the RCVS has reported on the issue of specialisation in the profession and has produced a public consultation paper (which you can read HERE). This report is independent of any vested commercial interest in veterinary practice and it very much endorses our view of the current problems. The report goes on to propose very significant changes to the organisation of specialisation in the profession which, if adopted by the RCVS, should go some considerable way to improving matters for animal owners and animals in the UK.
Northwest Surgeons completely supports the findings of this Working Party and we are keen to see the findings of the report enshrined in our Professional Code of Conduct. There is no guarantee that the findings of the report will be adopted in full or in part by the RCVS. The report must go before the Council of the RCVS and it is the Council that will decide which (if any) parts of the report are adopted. By its very remit, the council must take both veterinary and public opinion into consideration when making its decisions, but should put the public needs first. However, The Council is a large body with over 40 representatives on it with very diverse opinions, not all of which will be in favour of clarifying matters for the public in the way that the Working Party has proposed. It is therefore very important that you have your say if you care about the quality of the specialist that may be looking after your animal in the future. It is unlikely that another Working Party would be convened on this subject for many years.
You might also want to visit www.rcvs.org.uk to read the RCVS view.
On page 25 of the consultation document there is a list of 10 questions for consultation. Please take the time to read the document and to report back to the working party by answering the questions on page 25, explaining in your reply that you are a member of the animal owning public.
