The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK and acts as the interface between the public and the profession. In essence, the College’s role is to ensure that the public and their animals receive a good, honest and competent service from the veterinary profession.

This is achieved by maintaining standards of veterinary education, dealing with issues of professional misconduct, maintaining the Register of veterinary surgeons eligible to practise in the UK and protecting the role and title of ‘veterinary surgeon’. These are responsibilities set out under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.  The Act also specifies the circumstances in which procedures can be delegated to veterinary nurses and others.

The RCVS also has a ‘Royal College’ role, by virtue of its Royal Charter of 1844, which allows it to offer for postgraduate veterinary and veterinary nursing qualifications.

For more information about the role and history of the College, visit RCVSonline (www.rcvs.org.uk/about), call 020 7222 2001 or email admin@rcvs.org.uk

For information about current activities, read RCVS News online at www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvsnews

The best way to make sure you stay up-to-date about what’s going on at the College is to sign up to its free e-newsletter: www.rcvs.org.uk/enews.