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RCVS announces updates to Practice Standards Scheme requirements
The move follows widespread enthusiasm across the profession to learn more about what the sector can do to tackle global warming.
The changes include new environmental sustainability standards and an Environmental Sustainability Award.

RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) members will be required to meet new environmental sustainability standards under fresh updates announced by the College on Tuesday (5 July).

The changes, agreed upon by RCVS Council at its 9 June meeting, include new environmental sustainability requirements, updates to current standards to incorporate sustainability and a new Environmental Sustainability Award.

The move follows widespread enthusiasm across the profession to learn more about what the sector can do to tackle global warming and improve sustainability in day-to-day practice life. In September 2021, following a recommendation by The RCVS Environment and Sustainability Working Party, the Practice Standards Group initated a project to produce the new standards. 

Dr Mandisa Greene, chair of the Practice Standards Group, said: “It’s never been more pertinent that we review the sustainability of veterinary practice, and the introduction of these standards is a first, but vital, step in ensuring that the veterinary professions are doing all they can to manage their carbon footprint.”

The new standards, developed in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, will be introduced gradually, as detailed below, to allow participating practices enough time to implement them: 

  • the new Environmental Sustainability Award is available to apply for now, with assessments starting from January 2023 
  • the social sustainability changes and other minor clarifications are effective immediately and will be assessed from October 2022 
  • the new and amended Core Standards and General Practice level environmental sustainability standards will be effective from June 2023. 
     
Dr Greene continued: “PSS-accredited practices often go above and beyond to ensure they provide high-quality care for their clients, and we’re aware how much time and energy goes into meeting the PSS standards. We want to assure PSS-accredited practices that the new standards won’t mean an overhaul of ways of working or result in expensive investment in resources. 

“Instead, the standards explain ways that practices can increase their sustainability by putting in place new measures gradually over the next 12 months, in time for them becoming mandatory. As with all standards updates, the PSS team are always available to answer any questions that practices have and anyone who is unsure about how to apply them is encouraged to get in touch with the PSS team.”

A list of useful resources to help PSS members meet the new sustainability requirements is available on the RCVS website. 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.