RCVS says it will remove post-graduate qualifications from the register.

Vets dismayed over RCVS removal of post-nominals from the register

More than a thousand people have signed a petition calling for the RCVS to overturn its decision to remove post-graduate qualifications from the register.

The college has announced it will introduce a new list of advanced practitioners, as well as its list of recognised specialists.

When the lists are launched, the additional post-nominals of vets (except registrable degrees and MRCVS/FRCVS) will be removed from the register.

Derbyshire vet Victoria Lilley launched a petition on change.org calling for the college to overturn its decision. She says it "devalues the hard work and commitment of vets who have undertaken extra study."

Comments on the site have branded the move "deeply offensive" and "highly disrespectful", showing the college is "out of touch" with its members.

The college has not yet released a comment in response to the petition, but when announcing the change said the post-nominals would be removed as they are "not readily understood by the public."

This follows a 2011 consultation led by the RCVS which aimed to find a solution to confusion among the general public about post-nominals.

The list of advanced practitioners represents the "middle tier" between the veterinary degree and RCVS recognised specialist status.

Vets with a designated RCVS CertAVP, "old style" certificate or other post-graduate clinical qualification at level seven can apply for advanced practitioner status. There is, however, an application fee of £50 and an annual fee of £110.

Applicants must also gain 100 hours of CPD, have at least five years' experience working in practice and have acquired a minimum of 250 CPD hours in the past five years.

Responses to the petition on change.org include:
"Qualifications beyond vet school are difficult, time consuming, expensive, but more importantly require serious love and dedication. These should ALWAYS be recognised!" Theresa Miceli, Stoke-on-Trent

"I am not sure how such a move does anything but strike a body blow against years of trying to promote good post-graduate education." Jon Wray, Newmarket

"I worked very hard for years for my PhD and do not feel it would 'confuse the public' to leave it on the register as PhDs exist in many subjects and supersede a Bachelor degree.

"The RCVS should be supportive and proud of members' achievements and take the opportunity to let the public know if a vet has an extra specialism. If a member of the public has reached the online register, he or she will be perfectly capable of looking up what a Cert/Diploma/PhD means!!" Lynne Faulconbridge, Walsall

Visit change.org to view the petition and join in the discussion on our twitter page @MRCVSonline.