Susan Mulvey has been struck off by the RCVS Disciplinary Committee for clinical and managerial failings, including failing to provide adequate veterinary care, failing to provide test results and clinical records, and failing to comply with the RCVS to address client complaints.

Ms Mulvey faced a total of nine charges against her:

1. that she failed to provide appropriate and adequate veterinary care to a dalmatian.
2. that she failed to provide adequate information to an insurance company about a cockapoo, failed to provide clinical records to a superseding veterinary practice despite requests, failed to respond to a letter from the dog's owner, and failed to comply with requests from the RCVS for comments on the concerns raised by the dog's owner.
3. that she failed to provide the owners of a fox terrier with blood test results or give a reasonable explanation as to why the results were unavailable.
4. that she failed to provide information about a cockerpoo to a superseding veterinary practice despite requests.
5. that she failed provide the owners of a cat, and an insurance company with adequate information relating to insurance claims, despite requests, and failed to provide records to a superseding veterinary practice, despite requests.
6. that she failed to provide the owners of schnoodle with its clinical history, or give the information to a superseding vet practice, despite requests, and failed to comply with requests from the RCVS for comments on the concerns raised by the schnoodle's owners.
7. that she failed to comply with requests from the RCVS for comments on concerns raised by the owner of a cat.
8. that she failed to provide adequate and appropriate care to a French bulldog, failed to provide its clinical history to his owners and/or a superseding veterinary practice, despite requests, failed to provide an insurance company with adequate information, despite requests, and failed to comply with requests from the RCVS for comments on the concerns raised by the dog's owners.
9. that she failed to respond to requests from the RCVS in relation to details of her Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) and/or continuing professional development (CPD).

Ms Mulvey did not respond to the charges, was not present at the hearing and was not represented.

She told the College that she couldn't attend for health reasons, but did not then provide any medical evidence and did not apply for a remote hearing, which was offered.

She had appeared before the Disciplinary Committee twice previously, facing a number of similar charges.

In 2016/2017, Ms Mulvey admitted all charges she was faced with and was found guilty of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect.

The Committee then decided to postpone the sanction for a period of one year.

In  2019, Ms Mulvey appeared before the Committee for the resumed sanction hearing and faced further new charges relating to failures to provide clinical history, failing to communicate with clients, failing to respond to requests for information from the College concerning complaints made against her, continuing professional development and indemnity insurance.

Ms Mulvey admitted the new charges and that she was guilty of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect, for which she was struck off for six months. 

Taking into account the fact that this was not Ms Mulvey’s first time before the Committee, as well as new accompanying evidence, the Committee considered the facts of each subsection of each charge individually.

The Committee found all charges proved, apart from one subsection of charge 1.  

The Committee then went on to decide if Ms Mulvey was guilty of disgraceful conduct in a professional respect, noting that it was entitled to consider the facts on a cumulative basis.

In other words, whilst any one charge may not fall far below the relevant standard expected of a veterinary surgeon on a standalone basis, it may when considered in conjunction with other failings that have been found proved.

The Committee found a number of aggravating factors in the case, including actual injury to animals (including death and amputation), dishonesty, breach of trust, sustained behaviour, disregard of the role of the RCVS, lack of insight by the defendant and previous adverse findings. 

There were no mitigating factors.

The Committee then went on to decide upon a sanction.

Paul Morris, chairing the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee found that Dr Mulvey has demonstrated a wilful disregard for the role of her regulator and the systems that regulate the profession which are designed to ensure animal welfare.

"She has failed to learn from, or respond to in any meaningful way, her previous appearances before her regulator and advice given.

"The instant charges found proved dated back to shortly after the earlier suspension had elapsed.

"The Committee further noted that, if a period of suspension were to be imposed, at the end of the suspension Dr Mulvey would be entitled to resume practice without any preconditions.

“This is a case involving serious malpractice.

"It was sustained over a period of time.

"It followed previous adverse findings for almost identical failures.

"From as long ago as 2013, Dr Mulvey was given ample opportunity and support to remedy the deficiencies in her practice, which she squandered.

"Dr Mulvey’s conduct had very serious consequences for animal welfare.

"She continued, and continues, to display a wilful disregard for her responsibilities as a veterinary surgeon under the Code of Professional Conduct.

"Dr Mulvey’s conduct was a gross departure from the conduct expected of a veterinary surgeon.

“Dr Mulvey’s disgraceful conduct is so serious that removal from the Register is the only means of protecting animals and the wider public interest which includes protection of the public, the maintenance of public confidence in the profession, and the upholding of standards.”

Dr Mulvey has 28 days from being notified of her removal from the Register to lodge an appeal with the Privy Council.

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings 

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