The regulatory body wishes to introduce ‘mandatory practice regulation’.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has published its response to the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA’s) issues statement into the veterinary sector.

The regulatory body has called for reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 to allow it to implement mandatory practice regulation (MPR).

RCVS says that it has been pushing for new veterinary legislation for many years, referring to the existing legislation as ‘out of date’. It proposes that these changes would enable it to make changes it believes would bring benefits to animal health and welfare.

Among the changes it suggests is regulation of the ‘vet-led team’. This means that RCVS would not only be able to regulate veterinary surgeons and nurses, but also other members of the team such as physiotherapists.

The college also proposes a transformation of its complaints and disciplinary system, to keep it in line with best regulatory practice.

RCVS suggests that a more modern ‘fitness to practise’ model is not only in the public interest, but also more proportionate for veterinary professionals.

Furthermore, the college is calling for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act to strengthen and develop the role of veterinary nurses in practice. It believes that this would result in a greater range of services in both primary care and referrals settings.

RCVS hopes that these changes will enable it to introduce an MPR for all veterinary practices.

It says that this could be the ‘key change’ required to improve consumer protection, the standards in practice and the support available for veterinary professionals.

The college's position to regulate veterinary practices as well as individual veterinary surgeons has similarly been supported by the British Veterinary Association.

RCVS currently offers a voluntarily regulatory scheme for practices, called the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS). It has also established a Register of Veterinary Nurses under its Royal Charter, as well as an independent Veterinary Client Mediation System (VCMS), which offers an alternative dispute resolution service.

In a blog post from June, RCVS senior vice president Sue Paterson writes: 'As part of its package of recommendations for legislative reform, the RCVS is asking for statutory powers to create an MPR scheme to ensure that all practices are assessed, similar to how human hospitals, GP practices and care settings are regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

'This would align us with our core mission to enhance society through improved animal health and welfare, while also shifting us into the 21st century alongside other healthcare profession regulators.'

Image © RCVS