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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.
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.