Last updated: Friday, 25 July 2008

RCVS launches research into 24-hour cover provision

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has launched a research project into the extent to which veterinary surgeons are able to meet its requirement that steps are taken to provide 24-hour emergency cover.

The College's 24-hour Emergency Cover Working Party (24-7 WP) has been considering the ongoing practicality of the current requirement in the Guide to Professional Conduct, and whether it should remain, be removed, or be amended in some way. The research aims to build a sound evidence base on which a decision can be made.

"Changes in practice profiles and owner demands, health and safety issues, the desire for an improved work-life balance, veterinary and animal density... all these factors affect the ability of veterinary practitioners to meet our 24-7 requirement. The Working Time Regulations - which prescribe maximum working hours and minimum rest periods - have also affected practices' ability to run out-of-hours services," according to RCVS president Jill Nute.

"However, we are frequently reminded by members that the profession is proud to offer a 24-hour emergency service to animals and their owners. There seems to be no single majority view in the profession, so we need to understand exactly how people are meeting the requirement before any changes are made," she says.

The first step is to build a robust and unbiased questionnaire that takes account of all of the issues. Cognition Market Intelligence will then undertake a phone interview exercise with 440 veterinary surgeons in the Autumn.

Should changes to the Guide to Professional Conduct be recommended by the 24-7 working party on the basis of the findings, a consultation exercise may be undertaken.

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