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RCVS updates confidentiality guidance

Dealing with pets registered to someone other than client

Client confidentiality and microchipping guidance for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses has been amended by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The amendments address the issue surrounding when a patient is brought to the practice by someone other than its registered owner.

In this situation, there are grey areas with regards to rules on client confidentiality and data protection for both veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

As such, a brand new flow diagram has been added to Chapter 14 of the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct, along with supporting guidance.

There are various reasons why a client may bring in an animal that is not registered to them, for example pets that have been rehomed or sold without updated microchips, civil disputes between owners and, in some cases, stolen animals.

Click here to view the amended chapter.

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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk