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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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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.