Confidence in Veterinary Care

This veterinary practice is proud to be an approved member of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the regulatory body for the veterinary profession in the UK and launched the Scheme on 1 January 2005.

It is the only scheme for the veterinary profession and was set up to:

• Establish a quality assurance framework to promote and maintain the highest standard of veterinary care

• To make more information available about veterinary practices, and so give clients a more informed choice

Every accredited practice has volunteered to undergo a rigorous inspection by a qualified inspector every four years.  It must meet the criteria appropriate for its type.

Between inspections it must certify annually that it continues to meet the necessary standards, and for further monitoring of standards, it may also be subject to spot checks.

Branches as well as the main practice premises will be inspected.  These may be accredited within a different category, depending upon the range of services provided.

These Standards apply to all types of accredited practices and signifies, compliance with legal and health and safety requirements.

These practices may be accredited for Small Animals, Farm Animals, Equine Patients or as an Emergency Service Clinic or as a cominbation of these.

Only veterinary practices that have been inspected and approved can display the RCVS Practice Standards Logo.

Standards that apply to all General Practices:

• Must put in place arrangements to provide 24 hour emergency cover for patients.  This might be done by the practice itself, or through arrangements with another practice or emergency service provider;

• Must make clients aware of arrangements for checking and monitoring of patients kept in overnight;

• Must have a system for monitoring the outcome of treatments;

• Must show ongoing commitment to education and training of staff;

• Must keep premises clean and well maintained;

• Must have a policy for communicating with clients and looking at feedback;

• Must ensure clients are given estimates of the costs of treatments and consent to procedures undertaken;

• Have access to laboratory facilities for diagnostic testing;

• Meet legal and health and safety requirements covering its premises, equipment, clients and employees;

To be accredited as an RCVS General Practice, the practice must:
Fulfil the additional standards appropriate for the types of species treated/work undertaken
AND
Comply with Core Standards

For further information on the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme, please contact:
RCVS Practice Standards
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Belgravia House, 62-64 Horseferry Road
London  SW1P 2AF
020 7202 0767 / 020 7222 2001
practicesstandards@rcvs.org.uk
www.rcvs.org.uk