Ethical review guidance published
Image: Lord Sandy Trees
A working party led by the RCVS and BVA has published guidance on ethical review for vets carrying out practice-based research.
The party, led by Lord Sandy Trees, is made up of representatives and experts from a range of veterinary and research organisations. The published guidance is aimed at assisting veterinary surgeons carrying out practice-based research, who do not have access to the ethical review structure of a university or institute.
Professor Lord Trees explained: "Practice-based research is to be encouraged, and is becoming increasingly common and sophisticated. However, it’s not easy for those in practice to access ethical review support. We hope this report will enable practice-based research to be conducted to the best standards and to protect animals, the public and practitioners themselves.”
The guidance report first explains the difference between clinical practice and clinical research, then focuses on clinical research that does not require Home Office authorisation under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
The report recommends that would-be researchers build relationships with veterinary institutes so as to be able to submit research proposals to their ethical review committees.
It is also recommended within the report that the RCVS consider establishing its own ethical review committee, and that the RCVS Recognised Veterinary Practice Committee be expanded and better promoted to the profession.
Commenting on the guidance report, BVA president Peter Jones said: "Many practitioners are involved in clinically-based research and we welcome the guidance given in this joint RCVS/BVA report, which can inform our members of the regulations and best practice required and will enable them to attain high standards in the conduct of such research."
Click here to view the full report.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
