Veterinary Council of Ireland launches public consultation on Codes of Professional Conduct
The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI), the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing, has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on its revised draft Codes of Professional Conduct. The public consultation will take the form of three separate surveys, one each for members of the public and stakeholders, veterinary practitioners, and veterinary nurses.
The Veterinary Council is encouraging members of the public, stakeholders and veterinary professionals to provide their views on the Council’s revised draft Codes of Professional Conduct before the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 13th October.
The surveys ask for the views of respondents on the Council’s revised draft Codes of Professional Conduct, which cover key areas including: Animal health and welfare; Animals under care; One Health One Welfare;
24-hour emergency cover; the responsible use of medicines; communication; veterinary telemedicine; integrity of food/certification; records/informed consent; and duty to society.
The surveys form part of a complete and substantial review being undertaken of the VCI’s Codes of Professional Conduct for veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses. This is the first complete review of the Codes undertaken in ten years. In June 2020, the Veterinary Council established a Working Group to consider the Codes, to ensure their content, format and presentation meet the current and foreseeable needs of all veterinary professionals and the public.
Earlier this month, the Veterinary Council of Ireland also hosted a successful focus group event comprised of several representatives of stakeholder organisations from across the agricultural and veterinary industries to
discuss key sections of the Codes of Conduct. It is intended that the revised Codes of Professional Conduct will include straightforward guidance on the principles of ethical veterinary care which are in line with
best practice internationally.
Niamh Muldoon, CEO and Registrar of
the Veterinary Council of Ireland, said “This period of public consultation is an essential part of the review process for our revised draft Codes of Professional Conduct. It enables members of the public, stakeholders, and veterinary professionals to provide their views and input on the Codes which are binding on all Registrants. This is a valuable opportunity for the Council to engage with these groups and we would like to thank everyone who attended the focus group event and have provided their input on the Codes to date, their views are valued and appreciated.”