RCVS calls for support for new disciplinary regulations

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has called for support for new legislation that it believes would help to augment its disciplinary procedures.

A public consultation has been launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on plans that would allow the RCVS to reconstitute its disciplinary committees independently of the RCVS Council.

Under the new proposals, the RCVS preliminary investigation and disciplinary committees would need to be appointed at arm's length and be made up of veterinary surgeons and lay members who are not RCVS Council members.

The industry body believes this would be a fairer and more effective system, as it would ensure that responsibility for setting rules, investigating complaints and hearing cases would not be held by the same small group of people.

RCVS president Dr Jerry Davies said: "I would urge members of the profession and the public to respond to this important consultation and to support the changes."

Earlier this month, the college confirmed that intellectual property relating to its Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing will be transferred to City and Guilds in the next year.