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RCVS announces updates to Practice Standards Scheme requirements
The move follows widespread enthusiasm across the profession to learn more about what the sector can do to tackle global warming.
The changes include new environmental sustainability standards and an Environmental Sustainability Award.

RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) members will be required to meet new environmental sustainability standards under fresh updates announced by the College on Tuesday (5 July).

The changes, agreed upon by RCVS Council at its 9 June meeting, include new environmental sustainability requirements, updates to current standards to incorporate sustainability and a new Environmental Sustainability Award.

The move follows widespread enthusiasm across the profession to learn more about what the sector can do to tackle global warming and improve sustainability in day-to-day practice life. In September 2021, following a recommendation by The RCVS Environment and Sustainability Working Party, the Practice Standards Group initated a project to produce the new standards. 

Dr Mandisa Greene, chair of the Practice Standards Group, said: “It’s never been more pertinent that we review the sustainability of veterinary practice, and the introduction of these standards is a first, but vital, step in ensuring that the veterinary professions are doing all they can to manage their carbon footprint.”

The new standards, developed in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, will be introduced gradually, as detailed below, to allow participating practices enough time to implement them: 

  • the new Environmental Sustainability Award is available to apply for now, with assessments starting from January 2023 
  • the social sustainability changes and other minor clarifications are effective immediately and will be assessed from October 2022 
  • the new and amended Core Standards and General Practice level environmental sustainability standards will be effective from June 2023. 
     
Dr Greene continued: “PSS-accredited practices often go above and beyond to ensure they provide high-quality care for their clients, and we’re aware how much time and energy goes into meeting the PSS standards. We want to assure PSS-accredited practices that the new standards won’t mean an overhaul of ways of working or result in expensive investment in resources. 

“Instead, the standards explain ways that practices can increase their sustainability by putting in place new measures gradually over the next 12 months, in time for them becoming mandatory. As with all standards updates, the PSS team are always available to answer any questions that practices have and anyone who is unsure about how to apply them is encouraged to get in touch with the PSS team.”

A list of useful resources to help PSS members meet the new sustainability requirements is available on the RCVS website. 

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."