RCVS Practice Standards Scheme

CVS is proud to be an approved member of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme. This page provides some background on the scheme and the requirements we have met to receive our accreditation and provide you with confidence in the veterinary care your companions receive here at CVS.

Further information can be found at the RCVS website - click here

About the Scheme
The RCVS Practice Standards Scheme was launched on 1 January 2005. It is the only scheme representing the veterinary profession and was set up to:-

• Establish a quality assurance framework to promote and maintain the highest standard of veterinary care
• To make more information available about veterinary practices, and so give clients greater choice.

The RCVS Practice Standards Scheme has been embraced by the entire veterinary profession and replaces two schemes, one run by the British Veterinary Hospitals Association (BVHA)/Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and another by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA).

What does Accreditation mean?
Every accredited practice has volunteered to undergo rigorous inspection by a qualified inspector every four years. It must meet the criteria appropriate for its type.

Between inspections it must certify annually that it continues to meet the necessary standards, and for further monitoring of standards, it may also be subject to spot checks.

All practice premises will be inspected. This means that the type of service available in branches, as well as in main premises, will be clearer.

Under the Scheme, a veterinary practice may be:-

Accredited to Core Standards
These Standards apply to all types of accredited practices and signifies, at least, compliance with legal and health and safety requirements.

Accredited as a General Practice - species/discipline specific
These practices may be accredited for Small Animals, Farm Animals, Equine Patients or as an Emergency Service Clinic or as a combination of these.

CVS is an RCVS Accredited General Practice - Small Animals Specific

To be accredited as an RCVS General Practice, a veterinary practice:

• Must put in place arrangements to provide 24 hour emergency cover for patients. This might be done by the practice itself, or through arrangements with another practice or emergency service provider;
• Must make clients aware of arrangements for checking and monitoring of patients kept in overnight;
• Must have a system for monitoring the outcome of treatments;
• Must show ongoing commitment to education and training of staff;
• Must keep premises clean and well maintained;
• Must have a policy for communicating with clients and looking at feedback;
• Must ensure clients are given estimates of the costs of treatments and consent to procedures undertaken;
• Have access to laboratory facilities for diagnostic testing;
• Meet legal and health and safety requirements covering its premises, equipment, clients and employees;
• AND Comply with Core standards (see below)

To be accredited to Core Standards, a veterinary practice:

• Must put in place arrangements for 24 hour emergency cover for patients. (This might be done by the practice itself, or through arrangements with another practice or emergency service provider);
• Must have appropriately trained staff for work undertaken (Veterinary qualifications and insurance are checked);
• Must comply with minimum standards of cleanliness and hygiene;
• Must make clients aware of arrangements for checking and monitoring patients if kept in overnight;
• Must ensure clients are given estimates of costs of treatments and consent to procedures undertaken;
• Have basic diagnostic and surgical equipment for the work undertaken. These must be installed and maintained in accordance with health and safety requirements;
• Must have an effective policy for communication with clients.