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RCVS suspends Practice Standards Scheme assessments
All Practice Standards Scheme assessments have been suspended until 1 May 2020.

Cancellation part of new social distancing measures

The RCVS has announced that the Practice Standards Scheme, which quality assures practices and their facilities, has suspended all its assessment visits until 1 May 2020.

The decision was made following the UK government advice for everyone to practise social distancing in order to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in the UK.

According to the RCVS, veterinary practices with accreditation, re-accreditation and award visits scheduled to take place before 1 May 2020 have already been contacted regarding the cancellations.

Lead Practice Standards Scheme assessor Pam Mosedale said: “We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but based on the UK Government’s advice and our duty of care to our team of Assessors, as well as team members and clients at veterinary practices, our only option was to postpone and reschedule all visits in the short-term.

“Although we have cancelled all assessments until the end of April, we will be constantly monitoring the situation over the coming weeks, and it is likely that there may be some further postponement of assessments planned for May and beyond.”

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has also confirmed that it has postponed any inspections due in the coming weeks. Please click here.

For further information and advice, please contact the Practice Standards Team at pss@rcvs.org.uk or 02072020767.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."