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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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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.