RCVS disciplinary system to become more independent

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has reacted positively to new legislation that aims to ensure that its regulatory processes are brought up to date with modern standards of transparency.

A legislative reform order has been signed by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs minister David Heath that require the RCVS's preliminary investigation and disciplinary committees are made up of independent veterinary surgeons and lay members who are not council members.

The new law will come into effect on April 6th 2013 and will ensure that the same group of people is not responsible for setting rules, investigating complaints and adjudication, while also expanding the pool of people available to investigate complaints and sit on disciplinary hearings.

External members will join the committees from July 2013, with council representatives to become ineligible for membership after a two-year transition period.

RCVS president Jacqui Molyneux said the move "will bring the RCVS in line with regulatory best practice and improve the perception of the independence of the RCVS disciplinary processes".

The organisation was originally founded in 1844 and is responsible for regulating educational, ethical and clinical standards among UK veterinary surgeons and nurses.