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Posted: 22nd November 2013

Is red tape inhibiting the veterinary profession?
Nick Stace, RCVS chief executive, speaking at BVA Congress
Nick Stace and Iain Richards debate trust at BVA Congress

Is red tape inhibiting the care and service provided by the veterinary profession? This was the question that was debated by Nick Stace and Iain Richards at the BVA Congress in London today.

The session, titled "Trust me, I'm a vet", was part of the BVA's contentious issues programme, which is taking place at the Grand Hall Olympia alongside London Vet Show this week.

Chair John Blackwell, BVA president elect, opened the session by questioning whether or not vets are still trusted as professionals, and if increasing regulation and red tape is having a negative impact on the service provided to clients and their pets.

Taking the stage, Mr Stace outlined seven key steps in winning trust, beginning with "transparency". Blinding people with science and regulations is "no longer acceptable" he says, noting that the college had learned its lesson following the McKelvey report in 2011.

Bias is another factor, he said, asserting his view that trust in the profession would be compromised if it was always in agreement with its regulator, and that disagreements are not always a negative.

Mr Stace also touched upon the college's aim to become a First Rate Regulator, and added that keeping "in touch" is a key aspect of gaining trust. One of the ways the RCVS is trying to achieve this is by "trying to take on board some of the criticism" of the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS), he added.

Going the extra mile and accepting blame when things go wrong were also cited as significant to gaining the trust of the veterinary profession and its clients.

As Iain Richards took the floor, he began by asking what is trust, and why do members of the general public trust the veterinary profession. Out of hours services were cited as a key reason for this, as well as professional integrity, knowledge and the caring nature of the profession.

Moving on to look at the way external organisations view the profession, Mr Richards asserted that in terms of government consultations, the view of a veterinary surgeon is considered to carry the same weight as one member of the public. In his view, this indicates that the trust afforded to the medical professional is not extended to vets.

Other areas addressed during his talk included antibiotics, and the perceived lack of trust in the veterinary profession's ability to prescribe safely, as well as the Financial Services Act, which prevents vets from advising clients on pet insurance, which he feels is having a negative impact on client service.

Mr Richards then moved on to discuss the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), and his concerns that vets are not always trusted to make independent decisions when it comes to prescribing medication.

Responding to Nick Stace's comments regarding the RCVS, he said he feels there is "a degree of mistrust on both sides" when it comes to the college - with vets mistrusting the RCVS due to a fear of being struck off, and the college mistrusting the profession as a result of disciplinary cases brought before it.

In addition, Mr Richards said he trusts the committee that is effecting huge changes within the Practice Standards Scheme, which has been widely criticised by the profession in its current form.

The session was concluded by a final reflection by Mr Richards that the veterinary profession may also need to increase trust within itself. He raised concerns that practices are referring even simple procedures elsewhere due to a lack of faith, something he feels could be addressed by educating veterinary students.




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