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RCVS further extends remote prescribing guidance
The new temporary guidance includes additional safeguards concerning the physical examination of animals.
Updated guidance contains additional safeguards concerning physical examination.

Temporary guidance that currently allows veterinary surgeons to remotely prescribe prescription-only veterinary medicines (POM-Vs) has been extended to 1 November 2020 with additional safeguards.

The new motion, laid out at a recent meeting of RCVS Council, states that remote prescribing 'should only be carried out by veterinary surgeons who can provide a 24/7 follow-up service involving physical examination, plus or minus further investigation if required'.

It also states that such a follow-up service ‘can be provided personally by the veterinary surgeon or practice, or by written agreement with a veterinary services provider which is local to the client (as with the current situation for [out-of-hours] care provision)’.

Temporary guidance on remote prescribing was originally introduced in March in response to the Government's lockdown and social distancing restrictions. Since then, the guidance had been extended several times to reflect the changing circumstances and government guidance surrounding the pandemic.

On Thursday (8 October), a review of the temporary guidance took place at the request of RCVS Council. Council considered all of the evidence considered by the COVID-19 Taskforce, including an independent survey of veterinary practices into their experiences of remote consulting and feedback from different veterinary service providers.

After further discussion, Council voted to support the guidance but with additional safeguards concerning the physical examination of animals and the availability of follow-up care. The decision will be communicated to the profession as soon as possible and effective from 1 November 2020, to allow time for practices to make any necessary adaptations.

Council also agreed that the temporary derogation from the usual requirement to conduct a physical examination before an animal is regarded as ‘under care’ be reviewed as a standing item at each subsequent Standards Committee meeting until normal guidance provisions are restored.

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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."