The RCVS Council is inviting comments on new proposals for bringing the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 up to date. BSAVA members can take part in the process by sending their views on the act to the BSAVA Honorary Secretary, Alison Speakman, secretary@bsava.com, and should be received no later than 14 October 2009.

In 2005, following earlier consultations, the RCVS Council called for extensive changes in the arrangements for regulating veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses. Last year, however, the Government made clear that it had no plans to bring forward amending legislation for the time being.

The RCVS Council has now considered recommendations for more limited changes in the Act. The report of the Veterinary Legislation Group advises focusing on three priority areas:

• the composition of RCVS Council itself;
• the composition of the Preliminary Investigation and Disciplinary Committees; and,
• the jurisdiction and powers of the two committees.

RCVS welcomes comments on the recommendations from BSAVA members, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, interested bodies and the public.

Responses
E-mail responses should be sent to the BSAVA Honorary Secretary, Alison Speakman, secretary@bsava.com, and should be received no later than 14 October 2009. These responses will then be collated and forwarded to the RCVS by the 21 October 2009.

Access the review of the veterinary surgeons act >>

View the BSAVA response to the review of veterinary surgeons act (member only) >>