UK: Emergency Out of Hours Vet Care Update

[babyboos]

RCVS Updates 24 Hour Emergency Cover



The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Council (RCVS) has published its decision to retain a general requirement for veterinary surgeries to provide some form of 24 hour emergency veterinary cover (applies to UK only).



New guidance, soon to be incorporated into the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct, requires vets who are on duty outside normal office hours, to take reasonable steps to provide first aid and pain relief to animals presenting at their surgery. This guidance applies, even if the animal is registered with another surgery, (where, for whatever reason, that surgery cannot be contacted).



The RCVS also highlights the principle that, in an emergency, immediate first aid and pain relief should take precedence over payment of fees. The guide requires every member surgery to provide written information about its emergency provisions and the initial cost and location of its 24-hour emergency service.