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RCVS updates confidentiality guidance

Dealing with pets registered to someone other than client

Client confidentiality and microchipping guidance for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses has been amended by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The amendments address the issue surrounding when a patient is brought to the practice by someone other than its registered owner.

In this situation, there are grey areas with regards to rules on client confidentiality and data protection for both veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

As such, a brand new flow diagram has been added to Chapter 14 of the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct, along with supporting guidance.

There are various reasons why a client may bring in an animal that is not registered to them, for example pets that have been rehomed or sold without updated microchips, civil disputes between owners and, in some cases, stolen animals.

Click here to view the amended chapter.

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Animal Medicines Amnesty returns this November

News Story 1
 Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty.

Organised by the Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA CA&E), the initative is supported by a range of cross-sector organisations.

Practices are encouraged to use the campaign to engage the whole practice team and raise awareness of the safe disposal of medicines with clients. Learn how your practice can get involved at rumacae.org.uk 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.