Glossary of terms

The following definitions are designed to help animal owners understand some of the terms in our complaints documentation and Code of Professional Conduct which may be unfamiliar.

It is a work in progress, and more terms will be added over the coming months.

If there are terms for which you would like to see an explanation, please email us on communications@rcvs.org.uk.

Advisory Committee	This is the Committee of the College that develops the Code of Professional Conduct – for both veterinary surgeons and for veterinary nurses. It also develops other guidance for the profession and the public.
Clients	Those requesting professional services for an animal or group of animals.
Core Practice – RCVS Accredited	An RCVS Accredited Core Practice is a premises that has passed the Core standards of the voluntary RCVS Practice Standards Scheme.
Disciplinary Committee	This Committee is convened under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 to hear charges against veterinary surgeons and, from 1 April 2011, registered veterinary nurses. This is the final stage of our complaints process and these hearings are carried out in public. You can read about Disciplinary Hearings here. A veterinary nurse equivalent of the Committee will hear charges against registered veterinary nurses.
General Practice – RCVS Accredited	An RCVS Accredited General Practice is a premises that has passed the General Practice standards of the voluntary RCVS Practice Standards Scheme. It can be accredited as a small animal, large animal or equine general practice, or an emergency services clinic.
Medicines categories
- POM-V	Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinarian. This classification of medicine can only be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon and may only be supplied by a veterinary surgeon or a pharmacist.
- POM-VPS	Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person. This classification of medicine may only be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon, pharmacist or suitably qualified person, and may only be supplied by a veterinary surgeon, pharmacist or suitably qualified person.
- NFA-VPS	Non-Food Animal – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person. May be supplied without a prescription and may only be supplied by a veterinary surgeon, pharmacist or suitably qualified person.
- AVM-GSL	Authorised Veterinary Medicine – General Sales List. There are no restrictions on the supply of these medicines.
Non-veterinary surgeons	Those who are not veterinary surgeons; this includes student veterinary surgeons veterinary nurses, student veterinary nurses, physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths etc, and animal owners.
Practice Standards Scheme	RCVS Accreditation is made under our Practice Standards Scheme, and means that a practice premises has undergone a rigorous inspection by the College. The Scheme is voluntary and around 50% of practice premises are accredited.
Preliminary Investigation Committee	This Committee is convened under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 to investigate complaints made to the College about veterinary surgeons. Members of the Committee assist the assessment and investigation of complaints, and carry out the case examination of complaints, as Case Examiners. Non-veterinary surgeons observe PI Committee meetings. A veterinary nurse equivalent of the Committee considers complaints made against registered veterinary nurses.
Professional Conduct Department	The RCVS department responsible for professional conduct issues, including the provision of advice and the investigation of complaints.
Professional indemnity insurance	Insurance that will compensate the client for a negligent act or omission by the professional.
Professional misconduct	This is one of the areas in which the College can bring charges against a veterinary surgeon. Professional misconduct may be described as unethical behaviour on the part of the veterinary surgeon, for example, signing an incomplete or misleading certificate or failing to respond adequately to an emergency call.
Professional negligence	Professional negligence may be described as treatment of a patient by a veterinary surgeon that has fallen below the standards that would be expected of a reasonably competent member of the profession, with a detrimental effect on the animal. In general, allegations of professional negligence are not for the College to resolve. Such matters are for the civil courts although it may be possible to resolve the issues with the veterinary surgeon, or practice in question. More serious allegations of negligence may raise an issue of serious professional misconduct.
RCVS List of Veterinary Nurses	A list of veterinary nurses (including equine veterinary nurses) listed or registered with the RCVS; the RCVS List/Register of Veterinary Nurses is published annually. Veterinary surgeons can delegate medical procedures and some minor surgery (not entering into a body cavity) to listed and registered veterinary nurses – see Schedule 3 to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.
RCVS Register of Veterinary Surgeons	Only those registered with the RCVS are legally allowed to practise veterinary surgery in the UK, with a small number of exceptions, which are outlined in law. The Register of Veterinary Surgeons is published annually. A veterinary surgeon can be removed from the Register, following a disciplinary hearing. Such a vet can apply for restoration to the Register after 10 months and his or her case must be heard and accepted before they are restored to the Register. A veterinary surgeon can be suspended from the Register, following a disciplinary hearing. A suspension is for a fixed period, for example, six months, and the veterinary surgeon is automatically restored to the Register at the end of this time.
Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966	Part I Schedule 3 provides specific exemptions allowing the practice of veterinary surgery to be carried out by certain non-veterinary surgeons under certain conditions. For example: Any minor medical treatment may be given to an animal by its owner or another member of the owner’s household or employee of the owner Anyone may provide first aid for the purpose of saving life or relieving pain or suffering Any medical treatment or any minor surgery (not involving entry into a body cavity) may be provided by Listed and student veterinary nurses under the direction of their veterinary surgeon employer or another veterinary surgeon acting for the employer, to animals under the veterinary surgeon’s care Part II Schedule 3 specifically excludes certain procedures from being carried out by anyone other than a veterinary surgeon; for example, the castration or spaying of a cat or a dog.
Suitably Qualified Person (SQP)	This term has particular meaning within the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. Any individual who has passed a ‘suitably qualified person’ examination approved by the Secretary of State and is registered with an approved body, is able to prescribe and supply veterinary medicinal products classified as POM-VPS and NFA-VPS.
Student veterinary nurse	A person enrolled with the RCVS for the purpose of training at an approved centre or practice.
Veterinary Hospital – RCVS Accredited	An RCVS Accredited Veterinary Hospital is a premises that has passed the Hospital standards of the voluntary RCVS Practice Standards Scheme. It can be accredited as either a small animal or an equine hospital.
Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966	Sets out the statutory responsibilities enabling the RCVS to maintain a register of veterinary surgeons eligible to practise in the UK; to regulate veterinary education and to regulate professional conduct.

Privacy notice

Glossary of terms

Medicines categories