BVNA Questions RCVS on Enrolment Fee
Claire Fraser, the President of the British Veterinary Nursing Association, has raised questions over the student nurse registration fees at the VN Council meeting on 9th February 2012.
In response to the queries, Libby Earle, Head of Veterinary Nursing at the RCVS, said the fee is intended to cover visiting centres and universities, the monitoring of awarding organisations and the NPL.
However, it is widely considered that the planned extra charge of £190 is beyond that necessary for regulatory purposes and, since the RCVS has made its intentions known, there has been much concern amongst the veterinary industry, colleges and training centres.
When asked for their comments, the RCVS previously stated: "To pave the way for the College no longer being an awarding body, the fee has now been split into two parts, one part for registration with the awarding body and one for enrolment with the College. The enrolment fee with the College also covers the quality assurance of all Colleges and Awarding Bodies that provide qualifications leading to registration."
But now, with the President of the BVNA voicing questions over the fee, it is to be hoped that the RCVS will reconsider increasing fees by such a notable amount.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
