MPs briefed on latest RCVS activities

Earlier this month the RCVS hosted a working lunch with selected MPs at the House of Commons.

Discussions centred around RCVS preparations for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act. MPs provided valuable advice on seeking different ways of amending the existing legislation and also provided some new ideas for a new and different legislative basis for the RCVS.

Officers emphasised that the RCVS had not yet reached the point where it could push for urgent change, but work was well underway and it was hoped that a full and clear position on all issues would be reached by the end of the year.

The new RCVS Practice Standards Scheme captured MPs' imaginations both in terms of generating greater public awareness of the different types of veterinary practice and what level of service could be expected from them, but also in terms of emphasising consumer awareness and the role of the RCVS in ensuring consumers could be confident of the services received.