News
Amendments to the Veterinary Practice Regulation 2013 06 April 2020
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) has amended the Veterinary Practice Regulation 2013. These amendments provide greater clarity of the controls the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board has regarding registration, complaints handling and disciplinary proceedings and disclosure of information in certain circumstances with veterinary practitioners within New South Wales.
The amendments include:
- updating legislative...
Emergency response to African Swine Fever 31 March 2020
March 2020 CVO Bulletin regarding African Swine Fever.
This CVO Bulletin has been issued on behalf of Sarah Britton – the Chief Veterinary Officer...
Unassessed computer based courses to earn structured points 30 March 2020
The Board notes that many veterinary practices may wish to encourage staff to take study leave in addition to annual leave in the event COVID 19 restrictions lead to less veterinary work.
Given the restrictions on face to face continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities the Board has resolved that unassessed AV/audio/computer based courses (including webinars) will earn structured CPD points (1 point allocated per 1 hour of activity) until further notice. Evidence of completing the activity is required for validation.
Please note that information provided in your Annual Return later this...
Office of Local Government advice for councils on companion animals 30 March 2020
The COVID 19 shutdowns may impact on the delivery of council services and the Office of Local Government has issued advice for council pounds and shelters to ensure continuity of care for animals held in these facilities.
It is possible that services at local pounds and shelters may be reduced and the Board encourages...
Veterinarians provide essential services 30 March 2020
The Federal Minister for Agriculture the Hon David Littleproud MP has stated that the food production and supply chain will not be affected by COVID 19 (Coronavirus) shutdowns. Veterinarians supporting farming and food production are therefore considered to be an essential service.
The Minister has stated that State imposed border controls do not affect agriculture supply chains but veterinarians...
Essential Services 23 March 2020
The government has not defined non-essential services and has identified some essential services. Broad advice from government is to ‘use common sense’. The Board considers the care of sick and injured animals to be an essential service noting that failure to provide veterinary treatment when necessary is in breach of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (s 5). If the Board receives any advice to the contrary we will notify the profession.
Please note, as per our previous advice regarding the Coronavirus pandemic, it...
Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy - 2020 and Beyond 23 March 2020
The Australian Government has released Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy - 2020 and Beyond (the 2020 AMR Strategy). The 2020 AMR Strategy is available on the Resources page of the Australian Government’s AMR website, AMR.gov.au website, or through the following link: amr.gov.au/resources/australias-national-antimicrobial-resistance-strategy-2020-and-beyond.
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Coronavirus 20 March 2020
Coronavirus
The Board is aware of the degree of community concern about SARS-Cov-2 (the novel coronavirus) and COVID-19 (the disease caused by the novel coronavirus) (Coronavirus) and the dynamic nature of the information that is emerging about this outbreak.
There are many important aspects to consider regarding this outbreak including:
- Communication with clients
- Human health and managing risk
- Obligations under veterinary practice legislation
Communication with clients
...
CPD points 20 March 2020
The CPD year for each veterinarian runs from 1 April to 31 March and you are required to report the number of structured and unstructured CPD points attained during this time in your Annual Return. You will be invited to submit your Annual Return in June together with payment of your annual registration renewal fee.
Over any 3 year period you must attain 60 CPD points including at least 15 structured points. Structured and unstructured CPD point allocations were developed by the AVBC and the AVA and the...
Hospital licence renewals and updating your veterinary hospital details 20 March 2020
Hospital licence renewal notifications will be sent by email in early June. Renewals must be completed by 30 June.
You can use the Find a vet or hospital function on our website to see the details we currently hold for your veterinary hospital.
If you have recently changed ownership or the hospital superintendent has changed you need to submit the...