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.
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. 
