The next step in protecting the VN title
If the bill is approved, any non-registered person using the title would face fines or convictions.
A bill to protect the title 'veterinary nurse' has been submitted to the House of Lords. It could now be debated in the Lords and the House of Commons and, if approved, would become law.
Professor the Lord Trees submitted the 'Veterinary Nurses (Protection of Title) Bill' to the ballot yesterday (19 May). It will receive parliamentary time if it draws highly enough in the ballot, which will be drawn before the summer recess.
If approved in its current form, it would prohibit the use of the veterinary nurse title for anyone not listed on the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses.
Should any non-registered person then use the VN title or any name, title or description that implied they were on the register, they could face fines or conviction under the Veterinary Surgeons Act.
Commenting, Lord Trees said it is "very exciting, and a privilege" to submit the private members' bill. He added that if it is debated by the House of Lords and the House of Commons, he is "confident that the bill will receive total cross-party support."
"It would mark the final brick in the wall of creating a fully-fledged, recognised and protected veterinary nursing profession. This is what the veterinary nursing profession merits and the public deserve."
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
