Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

RCVS consults on year one competences
vets in surgery
RCVS is aiming to bring the Year One Competences into line with the recently updated Day One Competences.
Views sought on new proposals

The RCVS is consulting on a new set of Year One Competences, aiming to bring them into line with the Day One Competences for new graduates, which were amended last year.

A working party chaired by RCVS Council member Dr Tom Witte developed the updated Year One Competences, which detail the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours expected of veterinary surgeons on completion of the professional development phase (PDP).

The new competences cover a range of areas, including general professional skills, practical and clinical competences and knowledge and understanding of veterinary medicine, legislation, research methods and other subjects.

Veterinary surgeons are expected to be competent in these areas upon completion of the PDP, which is a period of structured learning and development for new graduates. This should be completed within the first three years in practice.

RCVS head of education Christine Warman said: "We are keen that members of the profession from all stages of their career and all types of practice participate in this consultation and provide feedback and suggestions on our proposed Year-One Competences and the supporting guidance for each.

"If there are any key competences that you think are missing from our list we would also like to hear from you.
 
“Furthermore, in light of the fact that most graduates complete the PDP within 18 months of entering clinical practice, we are asking whether we should change the name from Year One Competences to something that better reflects the situation on the ground – for example, ‘Competences expected on completion of PDP’ or similar."

To take part in the online consultation, visit: http://www.rcvs.org.uk/about-us/consultations/our-consultations/review-of-year-one-competences-for-veterinary-surgeons/

The consolation deadline is 5pm on Tuesday, 27 October 2015.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.