RCVS awarding body officially closes
A ceremony held at RCVS headquarters in London last week marked the official closure of RCVS Awards, the former awarding body for veterinary nursing qualifications.
The college has been winding down its awarding activities over the past few years due to a potential conflict of interest.
As a professional regulator, the college's role includes the regulation of education and training leading up to the registration of veterinary surgeons and nurses.
With the closure of RCVS awards, centres approved by Central Qualifications and City & Guilds now deliver the diplomas in veterinary nursing.
Speaking at the closing ceremony last week (1 December), Virginia Pott, a former external verifier for RCVS Awards, commented: "I think it was always difficult for the RCVS to have two roles and so the closure of RCVS Awards has brought clarity to the college as a regulator".
Despite the closure of RCVS Awards, the college continues to provide the Nursing Progress Log (NPL). Whilst the closure of its awarding arm has been welcomed as a positive step, some still feel the NPL presents a conflict of interest and competes with awarding bodies that develop their own skill logs.