Following years of campaigning by the veterinary profession, the UK government is proposing a reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA), making the system ‘clearer, fairer and more transparent for owners – while supporting veterinary professionals alike,' according to the government’s press release.
Legal recognition for veterinary nurses
New measures will bring veterinary nurses and certain allied veterinary professionals (e.g. equine dental technicians, cattle hoof trimmers) into regulation, ‘freeing up veterinary surgeons to focus on more specialist care, improving access and reducing delays.’ This would mean legal recognition for veterinary nurses to strengthen professional identity, 'helping improve job satisfaction and boosting retention rates.'
Oversight of veterinary businesses
The reform would also include regulatory oversight of veterinary businesses, not just individual vets, so the responsibility for upholding standards is shared and clearer. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recalls that 60% of vet practices are owned by non-vets, with many operating under various ownership structures. The reforms propose a new licencing system requiring businesses to meet clear standards – with enforcement action, including potential loss of licence, where they fail to do so.
Public consultation now open
A nation-wide consultation has now been launched, seeking input from across the veterinary team and from the public. Rob Williams, president of the BVA, suggested it was ‘imperative’ that colleagues engage with the government’s proposals, to ensure their voices are heard. President of the RCVS, Professor Tim Parkin added: ‘this really is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for all of us to help shape the future of the veterinary professions and animal healthcare industry, and to introduce a modern regulatory framework that’s fit for purpose in the 21st century.’
Read more about the reform of the VSA on the pages of the RCVS and of the BVA.
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