RCVS extended deadline for Code to profesional conduct

Re: RCVS extended deadline for Code to profesional conduct

Sal the 1st — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:43:26 GMT

as promised

Comments on the Draft Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses

Page 3

8) Veterinary nurses must consider reporting to an appropriate authority when there is a reasonable concern that animal welfare has been , or is likely to be , compromised

Page 4

7) Veterinary nurses must not breach client confidentiality unless there are overriding reasons in the public interest, including animal health or welfare

There is nothing to say what would constitute ‘reasonable concern’

Veterinary nurses are being told in one part that they are compelled to consider reporting to an ‘appropriate authority’ ( which again is not defined) but what happens when following the Code of Conduct is then in contravention of the employees terms of employment re client confidentiality or the Data Protection Act?

What happens if the nurse feels there is a ‘reasonable’ concern for animal welfare and their employer disagrees when they raise their concerns? If the nurse follows the Code of Conduct would they then be compelled to report elsewhere and go against the opinion of their employer? - and if this is pursued and reported to i.e. RSPCA and the RSPCA decides they are unable to take action because there is no reasonable chance of bringing a successful prosecution, what happens then?

This will leave the nurse in ‘no mans land’ where they can expect punitive action from their employer for breach of contract and also possible action against them from the animal owner. Either way it would probably finish their career, and rather than increasing public confidence in the profession would probably go quite a way to destroying it ( which incidentally would also leave them in breach of

page 8

5) Veterinary nurses must not engage in any activity or behaviour that would be likely to bring the profession into disrepute or undermine public confidence in the profession ).

In this scenario if the veterinary surgeon was then to report the veterinary nurse to the RCVS - how would or could this be settled when both parties have the same governing body?

Page 6

8) Veterinary nurses must maintain adequate practice standards to a minimum of the Core Standards of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme, as appropriate.

The Practice Standards Scheme is still voluntary participation and until /if it becomes mandatory should not be mentioned in the Code of Conduct. Ultimately it is the choice of the practice owner or employer if they choose to adopt the Practice Standards Scheme - this is not the place of the veterinary nurse to decide unless they are the practice owner or employer.

Page 6

2) Veterinary nurses must ensure that there is appropriate management of the nursing team and appropriate support and assistance for newly registered veterinary nurses, including those that qualified elsewhere in Europe, or overseas.

The registered nurse is responsible for their own conduct - to make them responsible for the conduct of other nursing staff is unfair. If the employer has decided that the nursing team should include non qualified staff then it is the employer and not the registered nurse that should accept ultimate responsibility for their conduct and where other qualified nurses are involved they should be responsible for themselves.

I still feel that there are far too many points of conflict that have not been adequately addressed and actions that still need to be taken before statutory regulation can even be considered.

I do not agree with a amalgamated code of conduct for veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons because although both professions are working towards the same goal we are still separate professions and should be recognised as such. The majority of nurses are still employees rather than employers and I cannot see that a combined document can equally apply to both groups

Re: RCVS extended deadline for Code to profesional conduct

Sal the 1st — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:36:27 GMT

on the subject of the register - I dont understand how a lot of this has come about ? Maybe somebody who knows could fill me in on some of the details? I dont understand the non statutary register. If there is no statute (law) that says that qualified nurses have to be on the register why have all nurses since 2003 been forced to go on the register. The register didnt come about till 2007 so why the need to force those qualifying after 2003 onto it? Why have they not been given a choice? If there is no law whose decision was it to take this course and how was it decided? is it actually legal denying nurses a choice as to whether they would like to be listed or registered? Have those nurses that have been forced onto the register been discriminated against in that they were offered no choice?

Just a few questions

Re: RCVS extended deadline for Code to profesional conduct

Sal the 1st — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:30:35 GMT

I will be emailing my comments in due course - and this time just in case they dont get to where they are supposed to go because of the RCVS spam filter (as this has been given as a reason why the professional conduct dept did not receive my comments re registered nurses who are removed from the register staying on the list) I shall also be posting them here for all to see. There are some of us who care very much what is happening and have done for a very long time. I have contacted more than one member of the VN Council in the past and more recently - I still dont feel that the main question I was asking was ever really answered. Its not apathy on my part more a lack of confidence and an overwhelming feeling that I am being professionally stitched up (definitely no pun intended).

Sorry if some find it boring but get ready for a long post in the next few days.

Re: RCVS extended deadline for Code to profesional conduct

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:07:43 GMT

I have dialogue never a problem to speak out and the only person l can see worth a damm there AND able to get things done is now not the president or even the vice any more so back to same old BS same old BS (any vn there or vn council member is only there by the grace of the vets and our voice counts for less than the mud on my shoe) I speak up only to annoy the hell out of the gods that someone is willing to speak out

Re: RCVS extended deadline for Code to profesional conduct

Helen Tottey — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 09:52:37 GMT

Lol! all i did was call the number 020 7222 2021 and as proof to this extension, they are open to listening and making changes.

I think there is perception of apathy from both sides - ours that RCVS don't listen and theirs that we don't respond to their requests for things. If a few of us pick up the phone and start dialogue with them, i am sure this can be changed.

Sorry if this sounds harsh to anyone, not meant to but is my general opinion

Re: RCVS extended deadline for Code to profesional conduct

Katie Mansfield — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:26:15 GMT

cheeky!!! but if you don't ask, you don't get

K x

Re: RCVS extended deadline for Code to profesional conduct

Katie Mansfield — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:26:10 GMT

cheeky!!! but if you don't ask, you don't get

K x

Re: RCVS extended deadline for Code to profesional conduct

Sal the 1st — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:49:11 GMT

[quote user="Helen tottey"]

Apparently the link for this code has not appeared in the forum section of this site and after a few comments already, i have spoken with the RCVS and they are extending the deadline to next Friday. This proves that the RCVS will listen to us and are prepared to make change so please read and comment, even if it is to say you are happy with it.

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/about-us/consultations/our-consultations/draft-code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-nurses/

[/quote]

any chance you could speak to the RCVS about an extension on the annual renewal fee as well as it would appear , from this post ,you have their ear?

Re: RCVS extended deadline for Code to profesional conduct

Caro Laithwaite VN — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:09:05 GMT

It is still there Helen look at the "Life in Practice" forum l find if l forget where something is
click on some ones name who you know posted
look at their profile and it says " .... posts" in red
Click on the red and it give the post/forum and first couple of lines
Voilà ! you have your details

Can also do it by "view my profile" under account if you posted and not sure where it is.