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RCVS responds to Sunday Times story on John Hendrie Smith
Mr Smith, based in Ayrshire, faced eight charges relating to the euthanasia of a German shepherd.
Vet struck off for charges relating to dog’s euthanasia

The RCVS has issued a statement on its requirements for CPD and revalidation, after the Sunday Times ran an article on veterinary surgeon John Hendrie Smith, who was recently struck off the register.

Mr Smith, based in Ayrshire, faced eight charges relating to the euthanasia of a German shepherd called Bouncer during a home visit in January last year.

Charges included failing to attend with a muzzle and sedative; failing to explain that the euthanasia would involve an injection directly into the heart, which is not an accepted means of euthanasia; communication failures; providing inadequate veterinary care and causing unnecessary suffering.

Chair of the disciplinary committee, Chitra Karve, said the intracardiac injection without prior sedation or anaesthesia caused “appalling pain and suffering to Bouncer, as evidenced by his screaming, and was wholly unnecessary”.

Mr Smith had, in the past, also euthanised over 200 dogs using this method.

Responding, the RCVS explained that vets are required to carry out a minimum of 105 hours of CPD over a rolling three year period and to practise within their area of competence.

There is currently no regular revalidation requirement for vets or nurses, but annual audits of CPD are carried out and vets who fail to confirm they have met the requirement are asked to supply their records.

Failures to meet CPD requirements are taken into account by the disciplinary committee when deciding what sanctions to impose in other cases.

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.