Licence revoked

It is very disappointing to report that a licensed veterinary hospital in New South Wales is in the process of having its licence to perform any type of surgery cancelled by the Board.

This decision came after the findings of several inspections were tabled to the Board.

The licensee of this hospital did not take the necessary steps and opportunities (after several requests) to rectify the significant deficiencies. Non-compliance related to hygiene, equipment and record keeping.  

As I reported in my last Boardtalk article, the vast majority of hospitals I visit have either renovated or have plans to improve their practice in the near future, or simply maintain their premises to a high standard.

The Self assessment checklist for hospital superintendents for inspecting your own hospital is available under Resources (Guidelines) on the Board’s website. Every veterinary practice should have this document as a reference.

There is also Self assessment for house call and onsite (mobile) veterinary practices available from the Resources (Guidelines) section of the website.

Estimates

As reported to the Board recently, I still occasionally come across a practice that is not providing an estimate before providing the service – I’ve written about this before.

Rest assured, if a client submits a formal complaint to the Board about an estimate not being provided and the practitioner concerned does not have any evidence that an estimate was provided, then the Board has no option other than to make an adverse finding against the practitioner - and when they do, they will undoubtedly point to articles like this! 

Veterinary Practice Regulation 2013

Veterinary Practitioners Code of Professional Conduct

Clause 16 Fees for veterinary services

A veterinary practitioner must, where it is practicable to do so and before providing veterinary services in relation to an animal, inform the person responsible for the care of the animal of: (a) the likely extent and outcome of the veterinary services, and

(b) the estimated cost of those services.

While we’re on this subject, all practitioners must be aware of the full Veterinary Practitioners Code of Professional Conduct – I suggest that it is either book marked or downloaded for reference.

If you are the superintendent of a hospital and have not seen me within the last 4 years, you can expect a call from me soon and I look forward to catching up again.

I wish all practitioners and veterinary staff a safe and peaceful Christmas period.

Glenn Lynch

Hospital Inspector / Investigator