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The long-awaited Panorama programme about the veterinary profession will air on Thursday 22 July at 9pm on BBC One.
Rumour has it that the programme will cover a range of issues, including the role of unqualified nursing staff in the practice, support for new graduates, over-charging in relation to insurance and regulation of corporate practices.
The RCVS says it expects increased public interest in the regulation of the profession following the programme and is gearing itself up to address any concerns it raises. A statement will be posted on www.rcvs.org.uk immediately following the programme, and the RCVS has said that it will work with the British Veterinary Association and other organisations to ensure that the robust nature of the regulatory system is communicated to the public, from undergraduate degrees through the Professional Development Phase and the Guide to Professional Conduct, to mandatory continuing professional development and the voluntary Practice Standards Scheme and Register for Veterinary Nurses.
In a statement issued today, the RCVS said: "We currently receive around 700 complaints a year - about one every 15 years of a member's practising life. It's a record to be proud of. However, if the programme raises areas of genuine concern, we will do all we can to act on them and we have already made it clear to the BBC that we would expect their support in this."
PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.
Interestingly not much shit flew....
The shit is going to hit fan....big time!!!!
I totally agree that the public will not differentiate. We'll have to deal with a lot of crap because of this and those of us who do our job properly will suffer as we won't have done anything wrong. The content of the trailer is normal and I'd be willing to let the owners perform delicate tasks in the full face of an aggressive cat or dog. If proper socialisation was undertaken there wouldn't be so many nervous and fractious animals out there. I also agree that more than anything else the animals will suffer as they potentially won't be taken to the vet at all if this program sets out to defame us all...and tar us all instead of the few that deserve it. Grrrrr...I'm ready for the fight...the BBC are so hypocritical and can kiss my ass.
Tut tut Medivet....
Grrr! Makes my blood boil watching that advert! Everything happening to those animals is normal! Especially with reference to the dogs - if people don't bother to socialise them properley to be handled by strangers then yes we are going to have to press them into a wall or sit on them to do stuff to them!!
bad press for vets = pets less likely to be seen. Who's going to suffer?
We all get tarred with the same brush thanks to these programmes!! Have just set it to record so I don't forget about it, it says undercover in a large veterinary company...wonder who it could be?
I agree in part with the previous poster. Unfortunately the chances of the general public differentiating between a good and a bad practice on the basis of what is broadcast, if previous programmes are anything to go by are slim - what usually happens is that everybody gets tarred with the same brush.
From experience it makes no difference if the practice is registered with PSS or not - there are equally bad things going on in tiered practices.
After many years in practice as a nurse, locum and rep i'm very sad to say that I've seen some appalling goings on 'behind the scenes' and if this sort of program eventually has the power to bring those practices to task then i'm all for it. Those who have something to hide have every reason to worry whereas those who are honest, care about their patients - and staff - and have excellent standards can stand up and be proud of what they do. Just like the practice standards scheme, where those who take part are not the ones that need to.