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New data protection regulations for 2018
As with the Data Protection Act, the GDPR applies to personal data, but the GDPR also applies to online identifiers, such as an IP address.
UK Data Protection Act to be replaced

The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is set to come into force in the UK from 25 May 2018, replacing the UK Data Protection Act 1998.

While the new rules are months away, it is wise for businesses to prepare in advance, to ensure they are compliant by next year.

The GDPR applies to those with a day-to-day responsibility for data protection - defined as ‘controllers’ and ‘processors’. Controllers say how and why personal data is processed and processors act on the controller’s behalf.

Processors have specific legal obligations under the new regulation - they are required to maintain records of personal data and processing activities. There will be significantly more legal liability if the processor is responsible for a data breach.

However, controllers are not relieved of their obligations if a processor is involved. The new regulation places further responsibilities on these controllers to ensure contracts with processors are compliant with the GDPR.

As with the Data Protection Act, the GDPR applies to personal data, but the GDPR also applies to online identifiers, such as an IP address.

For most organisations - those who keep HR records, customer lists or contact details, for example - the changes to the definition should make little practical difference, according to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The GDPR applies to automated personal data and manual filing systems where personal data can be accessed according to specific criteria. This could also now apply to chronologically ordered sets of manual records that contain personal data.

For more information on the changes visit: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-reform/overview-of-the-gdpr/

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."