Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Primary sources Template:Distinguish Template:Infobox organization The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom, established in 1844 by royal charter. It is responsible for monitoring the educational, ethical and clinical standards of the veterinary profession. Anyone wishing to practice as a vet in the United Kingdom must be registered with the RCVS.
Role
- To safeguard the health and welfare of animals committed to veterinary care through the regulation of the educational, ethical and clinical standards of the veterinary profession, thereby protecting the interests of those dependent on animals and assuring public health.<ref name="chea">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="horse">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- To act as an impartial source of informed opinion on animal health and welfare issues and their interaction with human health.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Anyone who wishes to practice as a vet in the United Kingdom must first register with the RCVS. Eligibility for registration is based either on having a recognised qualification or by passing the RCVS statutory membership examination. After registration, the vet is entitled to use the letters MRCVS (Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) or FRCVS (Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) after their name.
During the ceremony of admission to the RCVS, members make a declaration:<ref name="SydneyUni">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Royal charter
The 1844 charter regulates particular aspects of the college's management of its affairs and gives it the power to award fellowships, diplomas and certificates to veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, and others engaged in veterinary science and its auxiliary sciences.<ref name="RCstatement">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The statutory duties of the RCVS are laid out in the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.<ref name="VCA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
RCVS Practice Standards Scheme
The regulatory role of the RCVS has always meant that members of the public could rest assured that their individual vet is properly qualified and fit to practise, and now the same assurance can apply to practice premises. The RCVS Practice Standards Scheme is a voluntary initiative to accredit veterinary practices in the UK. Through setting standards and carrying out regular inspections, the Scheme aims to promote and maintain the highest standards of veterinary care.
RCVS Accredited practices are able to display the RCVS accredited practice logo, which indicates that the practice has undergone a rigorous, independent inspection and various minimum standards have been met.<ref name="VetSurge">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Disciplinary committee
The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons hears charges against veterinary surgeons accused of serious professional misconduct or being unfit to practice because of a criminal conviction.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Appeals from decisions of the Disciplinary Committee are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Officials
In order to carry out its statutory duties a council of 33 members governs the RCVS and meets eight times a year. The President, vice-presidents (two), and Treasurer are elected by Council and together with the Chief Executive and Head of Legal Services/Registrar, form a team of officers who have the main responsibility for running the RCVS.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- President: Tim Parkin<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Vice President: Linda Belton<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Junior Vice President: Timothy Hutchinson<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Treasurer: Tshidi Gardiner<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Chief Executive: Lizzie Lockett<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Registrar: Clare Paget<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Publications
- Colours and Markings of Horses (revised 2005 and distributed by Weatherbys Bookshop)<ref name="TheEncyclopaediaof HorseILoveHorse">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="HorseBookWC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Directory of Veterinary Practices (annual, published in October)
- RCVS Annual Report (annual, published in June)
- RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct (revised 2006)
- RCVS News (newsletter – March/June/November)
- Register of Members (annual, published in November)
- Veterinary Nurses List (annual, published in March)
Past presidents
- James Beart Simonds (1862–1863)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- William Hunting (1894–1895)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Orlando Charnock Bradley (1920–1922)
- John Share Jones (1928–1929)<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Thomas Dalling (1949–51)
- Olga Uvarov (1976–1977)
- Judy MacArthur Clark (1992-1993)<ref name="Past-Pres">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Alasdair Steele-Bodger (1972–1973)
- Richard Halliwell (2003–2004)
- Alexander Trees, Baron Trees (2009–2010)
- Stuart Reid (academic) (2014-2015)
Current and former notable fellows
- Mary Brancker
- Joseph Henry Carter
- Judy MacArthur Clark
- Ernest Cotchin
- Thomas Dalling
- Walter George Burnett Dickinson
- Sydney Dodd
- John Firth (veterinary surgeon) 1796-1842
- Fawthrop A. Fyrth ('Bone Setter' veterinary surgeon 1815-1896
- James Hallen
- James Herriot
- Andrew Higgins (veterinarian)
- William Hunting
- James McCall (veterinary surgeon)
- Quintin McKellar
- Anna Meredith (veterinary surgeon)
- Brian Perry (veterinary surgeon)
- Alexander Robertson (veterinary surgeon)
- R. N. Smith
- Alasdair Steele-Bodger
- J. S. Steward
- Olga Uvarov
- P. A. L. Wight
- William Williams (veterinary surgeon)
- William Owen Williams
See also
References
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Veterinary medicine in the United Kingdom
- 1844 establishments in the United Kingdom
- Health in the City of Westminster
- Organisations based in the United Kingdom with royal patronage
- Organisations based in the City of Westminster
- Scientific organizations established in 1844
- Professional associations based in the United Kingdom
- Veterinary medicine-related professional associations