About the Veterinary Sector
General regulatory situation
In the UK, veterinary surgeons (vets) and registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) must be registered with the UK regulator, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). To register, an individual must hold a recognised qualification.
Vets that train in the UK spend 5-6 years at University. The RCVS approves and monitors these university programmes for automatic qualification to register with RCVS. The RCVS also allows vets from accredited veterinary schools elsewhere in the world to apply for membership. If the school is not recognised and approved by RCVS, an individual may need to take the RCVS statutory examination.
Regulation around Referrals and Specialisation
Most vets are general practitioners (GP vets) and being a GP vet is a very demanding job. All vets in UK must undertake 35 hours of continuing professional development each year.
Some GP vets may take a particular interest in a certain area and may achieve postgraduate ‘certificate’ examinations whilst working in practice, to demonstrate their enhanced knowledge in that area. So, you may see the term ‘certificate-holder’ to recognise that achievement.
Some certificate holders may choose to apply for what is known as ‘advanced practitioner’ status. This is a list maintained by RCVS and, as well as having a certificate or similar qualification, such individuals must demonstrate an ongoing enhanced level continuing professional development. There is a process of re-accreditation every 5 years.
Registered Specialists must undergo significant periods of postgraduate training under the supervision of an existing Specialist and must pass an approved Diploma examination. This typically entails three years of postgraduate training and, to achieve the diploma, candidates must pass rigorous examinations and publish peer-reviewed papers on clinical research. Diplomas may be awarded by RCVS or approved European or American postgraduate veterinary colleges. To become a RCVS-registered Specialist, appropriately qualified individuals must apply to RCVS to join the list of registered Specialists. Again, there is a re-accreditation process every 5 years.
Supervising referral clinicians at Movement Vets are all RCVS-registered Specialists in their discipline. We also employ residents who are training to be specialists and they are closely supervised by Specialists.
RCVS guidance on veterinary referrals can be found here
Structure of veterinary practice in UK
There has been significant change in the structure of veterinary practice in the UK in the last 25 years. Since RCVS allowed non-vets to own veterinary practices, there has been a rapid consolidation of the sector with increasingly large companies acquiring multiple practices forming ‘corporate’ structures. Such companies may also own diagnostic laboratories, crematoria, suppliers, and referral centres.
The referrals sector has probably seen more of this consolidation than other parts of UK veterinary practice services. The vast majority of small animal referral centres are now in the hands of a small number of companies which also own multiple GP vet practices.
Movement Vets is independent. We were founded by Specialist vets who wished to own and manage their own clinics, so that the focus can be on providing the best possible care for patients and clients.