Guidance For Vets

To align with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, all vets providing advice through our online service are expected to follow the guidance outlined below. This approach ensures the delivery of high-quality, ethical, and professional advice, with the health and welfare of animals as the top priority. This guidance summarises some key points that outline the expectations for the service provided on this website. For full guidance and advice please visit RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons website (https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/)

1. Professional Responsibility

• You are personally accountable for all advice and actions, including prescriptions, and must justify your decisions.
• Always provide advice that is in line with the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance.
   

2. Standards of Advice

• Accurate and Appropriate: Ensure advice is evidence-based, appropriate to the animal’s condition, and mindful of the limitations of remote consultations.
• Clear Limitations: Inform clients when remote advice is insufficient, particularly when a physical examination or further diagnostic testing is needed.
• Animal Welfare First: Prioritise the animal’s health and welfare when making decisions or recommendations.
   

3. Compliance with RCVS Guidance

• Remote Consultations: Follow RCVS guidance on providing advice via remote means, ensuring it is appropriate and sufficient based on the information provided.
• Animal Under Your Care: Recognise that online advice does not establish the same duty of care as in-person clinical oversight. Clients should be made aware of this distinction.
   

4. Medical Prescriptions

4.1 Prescribing POM-Vs and Other Veterinary Medicines

• Veterinary medicinal products classified as POM-V (Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinary) can only be prescribed:
  
  • When the animal is under your care as defined by the RCVS.
  • Following a clinical assessment that provides enough information to diagnose and prescribe responsibly.
  • If necessary, recommend a physical examination to meet this requirement. Remote consultations alone may not always fulfil the obligations for prescribing certain medications.
     

4.2 Antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitics, and antivirals:

• Physical exams are required unless there are exceptional circumstances. Justifications for exceptions should be documented.
   

5. Client Communication

• Informed Guidance: Educate clients about the potential risks and limitations of remote advice and guide them on when to seek in-person veterinary care.
• Consent: Ensure that clients fully understand the advice provided and its implications before acting on it.
• Clarity: Avoid using overly technical language and ensure your advice is clear and actionable.
   

6. Record-Keeping

• Detailed Records: Maintain accurate records of all online consultations, including:
  
  • The client’s and animal’s details.
  • The advice provided.
  • Any recommendations for further action (e.g., physical examination, referral).
  • Evidence of informed consent where applicable.
• Data Protection: Ensure compliance with data protection laws (e.g., GDPR) when handling client and animal records.
   

7. Emergency Protocols
• Be prepared to advise clients on how to access immediate care if their pet's condition requires urgent attention.
• Inform clients about alternative emergency services in cases where further care is beyond the scope of the online consultation.