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Veterinary Services
Veterinarians must strive to provide a high standard of veterinary
practice.
Understanding the Guiding Statement
- Veterinarians are expected to display high standards of expertise and performance in the course of their professional activities.
- Veterinary procedures and recommendations should be based on sound evidence-based science and practice.
- Facilities and equipment must be of a reasonable standard and appropriate for the veterinarian's type of practice. Staff must have
the relevant training to facilitate the delivery of the appropriate veterinary services for the type of practice.
- Veterinarians must keep their skills and knowledge up to date by taking part in relevant continuing professional development
activities that maintain and develop their competence and performance.
Understanding Section 1
- VCNZ's principal purpose is to protect the public interest by ensuring that veterinarians are competent
and fit to practise - not just at the time of initial registration, but on an ongoing basis.
- The public has the right to expect that veterinary services are provided in a competent and contemporary manner and that
veterinarians will maintain and enhance their professional skills and knowledge.
- Clinical standards change over time. Methods of treatment which may be considered acceptable at one time may not be
considered acceptable at a later date. Clients have the right to expect that veterinarians will keep their knowledge
in their field of practice up to date.
- Veterinarians must comply with VCNZ's requirements for continuing professional development.
- Veterinarians must recognise when either their competence or the resources available to them place limits on their ability to perform to
an acceptable standard. All reasonable steps must be taken to avoid exceeding those limits.
Understanding Section 2
- Veterinarians must comply with VCNZ's prescribed minimum practising standards which include recency
of practice and competence requirements.
- VCNZ considers that a competent veterinarian is one who applies knowledge, skills, attitudes, communication and
judgement to the delivery of appropriate veterinary services in accordance with their field of veterinary practice.
- Veterinarians should be familiar with and comply with VCNZ's competency
standards and performance indicators for veterinarians.
- Veterinarians should be familiar with and comply with VCNZ's recency of practice requirements.
These state that 'for any person who has not worked as a veterinarian for three consecutive years, or has not worked as a
veterinarian for three consecutive years in the area in which they intend to practise', VCNZ may examine the person and
may if it is necessary place conditions on the person's practising certificate.
- All veterinarians must take reasonable care to ensure that the practice that they are working in is operated to the standard expected
in this Code.
Understanding Section 3
- VCNZ has a statutory responsibility to ensure that veterinarians are competent to practise. Under the Veterinarians
Act 2005, VCNZ's functions include the promotion and encouragement of high standards of conduct among veterinarians, and the
prescribing of minimum practising standards.
- All veterinarians have a responsibility to maintain ethical, professional and technical standards. VCNZ does not have jurisdiction
over persons who are not veterinarians, which may include the owners of some veterinary practices. Irrespective of the ownership
structure the veterinarians working in the practice are considered to be responsible for ensuring standards are maintained.
- The practice resources must be sufficiently managed in order to meet the minimum standards expected. Resources include
but are not limited to: staff, equipment, facility and inventory.
- Veterinarians are considered to be responsible for the conduct of their employees, and must take steps to ensure that
they work within the standards expected. For example ensuring that controlled drugs are managed according to the provisions
of paragraph 12 of the Veterinary Medicines section of this Code.
- Veterinarians who believe that premises, equipment or other resources/systems in a practice are below the standard expected
should raise those concerns with the practice owners or principals. Where such concerns are not appropriately
resolved they should be brought to the attention of VCNZ.
- Veterinarians must maintain clear and accurate clinical records. The records must:
- Be of such detail that another veterinarian could take over the management of the case at any time;
- Be retained for periods of time as required by statute or for the duration of time for which they remain relevant
to the purpose for which they were recorded;
- Not be altered retrospectively unless the changes are marked chronologically on the record, and the additions are dated
and noted as being added retrospectively; and
- Be made accessible to clients on request, unless there are justifiable legal reasons to withhold.
Understanding Section 4
- Veterinary medical records document the veterinary services provided to clients over time and chronicle the various
treatments given to animal patients. These records are an integral part of veterinary care and are a legal requirement
in order to record the use of restricted veterinary medicines. Medical records include radiographs or other imaging
records, laboratory results, in patient treatment summaries, consent forms and any other ancillary records relevant
to the case history.
- Veterinary medical records are owned by the practice owner and must be retained as required to comply with legal
requirements.
- A number of government bodies (e.g. IRD) may set statutory requirements for how long practice records are kept.
The Statute of Limitations Act 1950 sets a period of six years for claims of contract or tort. There is no time limit
for complaints to be brought against veterinarians for disciplinary reasons, and pre-emptive destruction of records in the
face or a forthcoming complaint would be considered unethical.
- In general terms veterinarians are advised to keep patient medical records as long as the information has use or relevance,
and in order to comply with statutory expectations. On that basis and more specifically, veterinarians should keep patient
medical records while the client's animal is still alive and still a patient of the practice, from the date of the first
consultation onwards, and for a period of seven years after the date of the last consultation.
- Any recommendation in this Code on the length of time to retain patient records is subject to any other statutory requirements
and it may be prudent for veterinarians to keep records longer if they are known to have continued relevance beyond the recommended period.
- Veterinarians have an obligation to maintain medical records which contain enough information to allow another veterinarian to
easily take over the case. The medical history should be able to be organised and retrieved efficiently, and documented in a
legible form. The medical record facilitates communication between veterinarians providing treatment.
- Records should contain relevant clinical history and findings, decisions made, treatments provided and information provided
to clients. The record should document relevant communication between veterinarian and client that directly relates to the patient.
- Medical records should be created at the time of the events being recorded or shortly after. Any additions or deletions
made at a later time must be done so with clear reference to the date/time that these changes were made. Medical records are
legal documents and as such must provide a valid and contemporaneous record of the patient's treatment.
- Where current veterinary medical records exist but the veterinarian who owns them is no longer practising, those records
should be made available where possible to the owners of the animals. The expectation is not that the records will be kept
and maintained, but that the owners are given the opportunity to uplift the record if they choose to.
- The information contained within the medical record is considered confidential and must not be released unless by the
consent of the owner of the animal, or if there is a legal reason to do so (http://www.privacy.org.nz/a-thumbnail-sketch-of-the-privacy-principles/).
- In the interests of openness and transparency and in order to comply with the Privacy Act 1993, veterinarians must provide
clients access to their animal's records on request, unless there are justifiable legal reasons not to. Where the practice
incurs costs to duplicate records, those reasonable costs can be passed on to the client in order for them to obtain their copies.
- Privacy Principle 6 of the Privacy Act 1993 details the rights of persons to enquire whether an organisation holds personal
information about themselves, and to request access to that personal information.
- Personal information is defined as information about a living human being that is capable of being identified to the
individual concerned. Where an animal is owned by an identifiable individual person, records pertaining to the veterinary
treatment of that animal by a veterinary practice have been considered, by the Privacy Commission, to constitute personal
information about that individual.
- Veterinarians are obliged under the Privacy Act 1993 to provide access to the veterinary records of an animal when requested
by the animal's owner, unless one of the grounds provided under the Act for withholding information applies. Context is
important, and the provisions of the Privacy Act 1993 may not apply where the animal is owned by a trust or limited liability company.
- Access can be provided through a copy of the records or through viewing the records or providing a summary of the information if that
is acceptable to the client.
- The Privacy Act 1993 sets out timelines for agencies to respond to requests for access to personal information. The Act
specifies that an agency has twenty working days to make a decision to provide access to the information. Most agencies attempt
to provide a decision with any information sought within the twenty working days. In the interests of facilitating client’s
requests, veterinarians should view these time frames as outside limits and not as guidelines on how to respond. Veterinarians
are advised to provide the requested records as soon as is practical.
- Where veterinarians are unsure about their legal obligations they should seek advice from VCNZ, NZVA, the Privacy
Commissioner's Office or their lawyer.
- Veterinarians employed by government or involved in industry, education or research must:
- Ensure that employer requirements and contractual obligations do not compromise or override professional standards;
- Inform clinical practitioners before providing services affecting their clients.This includes public presentations, trial work
and investigating aspects relating to products;
- Ensure all professional and regulatory requirements are satisfied when undertaking trial, research or investigatory work for an employer.
Understanding Section 5
- The obligations identified in this Code apply to veterinarians employed by government and in industry and education institutions.
- In considering the use of alternative or complementary methods of diagnosis or treatment the welfare of the animal is paramount.
Where a veterinarian chooses to use alternative or complementary methods of diagnosis or treatment the client must be able to make an
informed decision about whether to proceed. Therefore the veterinarian making this choice must inform the client of:
- The nature of the alternative treatment offered; and
- The extent to which it is consistent with conventional medicine.
Understanding Section 6
- Complementary and alternative medicine has been defined as a broad domain of healing resources that encompasses all health
systems, modalities, and practices and their accompanying theories and beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the politically
dominant health system of a particular society or culture in a given historical period.
- Complementary and alternative therapies do not usually have the weight of scientific proof of their efficacy and therefore
the use of these products and/or services is outside the mainstream of conventional therapy.
- Where a client is making a choice between conventional treatment and alternative or complementary therapies, the veterinarian
should present the client with the information that a reasonable client, in that client's circumstances, would expect to receive
about the treatment the veterinarian is recommending. This information includes an explanation of the options available including
an assessment of the expected risks, side effects, benefits and cost of each option. This allows clients to make an informed choice.
- Veterinarians in clinical practice must make an emergency service available at all times. This service is required
so that their clients’ animals can receive essential veterinary treatment in order to relieve unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
The emergency service must be sufficiently resourced, so that except in extraordinary circumstances all
veterinary emergencies involving
clients' animals are attended in reasonable time to ensure the welfare of the animals. A decision of what is a reasonable
time will take into account the type of practice and the locality.
Those veterinarians on duty and directly responsible for providing the emergency service can refer callers who are not clients to the
emergency service provided by the caller's own veterinarian. However, if that alternative service is not available and if the
veterinarian has the necessary skills and resources required for the particular emergency, the veterinarian must
attend the emergency and provide essential treatment.
Understanding Section 7
- Veterinarians are the health care professionals for animals. The Animal Welfare Act 1999 places legal obligations on
the owners and persons in charge of animals requiring them to ensure that ill or injured animals receive, where
practicable, treatment that alleviates any unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress. In order that owners and
persons in charge can reasonably meet those requirements they need access to veterinary care.
- The Animal Welfare Act 1999 definition of the 'person in charge' is very broad and encompasses every person who is seen to
have the animal under their care, control or supervision. This definition extends to the animal's veterinarian in
situations where the animal is being treated or managed under the specific instructions of the veterinarian, creating a
potential legal obligation to respond in an emergency.
Over and above any legal obligation that might exist, veterinarians have an ethical obligation to provide an emergency service
in order to protect the welfare of animals whether those animals are under the veterinarian's care or not.
- A veterinary emergency is defined as 'any sudden, unforeseen injury, illness or complication in an animal, demanding
immediate or early veterinary treatment to save life or to provide timely relief from unreasonable or unnecessary pain or
distress'. An emergency is considered to exist when described as such by the person in charge of the affected animal(s)
until there has been an opportunity for veterinary assessment. Assessment may take place over the phone but the veterinarian
must be confident that if they decide that the situation is not an emergency they have sufficient information in order to make
that assessment accurately. When the veterinarian determines the situation is not a veterinary emergency, they should document
their decision and reasons.
- A veterinary emergency is not considered to exist and therefore does not need to be attended by a veterinarian if:
- Following veterinary assessment the veterinarian decides that in their professional judgement the situation is
not a veterinary emergency.
- Following discussion between the caller and the veterinarian mutual agreement is reached that emergency veterinary treatment
is not required to manage the situation and protect the welfare of the animal.
- For an emergency service to be sufficiently resourced veterinary emergencies must be able to be attended within a reasonable
time frame to ensure that affected animals do not suffer unnecessary or unreasonable pain or distress. There must be an adequate
number of veterinarians and support staff to meet the demand for emergency services that could reasonably be expected from the
practice's clients taking into account the size and type of practice. For example the number of veterinarians required to be on
call in a multi veterinarian dairy practice during calving season might need to be different to what is required in the same practice
outside calving season. The locality of the practice might also influence what is expected regarding a reasonable time for the
veterinarian to attend to the animal (for further discussion refer to (h) below). Those persons providing the service must be adequately
supplied and equipped, and have the necessary competence to be able to attend the types of emergencies that could reasonably be expected
to arise involving the species and classes of animals normally treated by the practice.
- In a veterinary emergency a veterinarian's involvement should be tailored relative to his or her own competence and to the resources
available to deal with the particular situation. When a veterinarian personally attends an animal in an emergency, and the particular
clinical skills required are outside the veterinarian's competence, this must be identified to the person in charge of the animal(s).
If an alternative veterinary service is available which can offer the necessary skills and resources this should be offered.
Alternatively, obtaining the appropriate informed consent of the person in charge of the animal before proceeding with treatment will
reduce the vulnerability of the veterinarian if the outcome of the emergency is not as expected. In an emergency it may not be
appropriate or feasible to document the informed consent process at the time, but veterinarians in this situation are advised to
document their involvement and the process by which they gained consent as soon as possible when the circumstances permit.
- The emergency service provided by a practice may involve the services of appropriately trained persons (for example technicians
and veterinary nurses) who are not veterinarians. However, a veterinarian must be readily and directly available at all times to
provide the necessary veterinary clinical support and undertake the work legally required to be completed by a veterinarian.
- This Code recognises that there will be times when a veterinarian on duty will not be able to attend every emergency in a
reasonable time. Extraordinary circumstances which might potentially prevent the veterinarian from attending (or delay attending)
an emergency might include but are not limited to:
- The veterinarian on duty being unexpectedly overloaded with emergency call(s) of a similar or higher priority to the
emergency which cannot be attended.
- The veterinarian on duty becoming incapacitated by injury, ill health or excessive fatigue while on duty to a level
that compromises his or her ability to provide the level of care expected.
- The veterinarian on duty holding the reasonable belief that attending the particular emergency would place his or
her own personal safety or health at risk.
- When extraordinary circumstances prevent a veterinarian on duty from being able to attend an emergency, they must assist the
caller (or where that is not possible, arrange for someone else to assist the caller) to access an alternative veterinary service.
- In an emergency where the caller is not a client, the veterinarian on duty is entitled to refer the caller to the emergency
service provided by the caller's own veterinarian. If that service is not readily available and if the veterinarian on duty has
the necessary skills and resources required for the particular emergency, they must attend the animal and provide essential
treatment. Examples of the types of situations where this might apply include: when the caller's own veterinarian on duty is busy
with another emergency or the caller does not already use the services of another veterinarian, or the caller is travelling and
out of the district of their own veterinarian.
- There will be times when it is known by the veterinarian on duty that the caller uses the services of more than one veterinary
practice (including specialist referral practices).
- Where the emergency specifically relates to the veterinary services that have been provided by a different practice
to that of the veterinarian on duty, the caller can legitimately be referred to the emergency service of that practice.
Examples might include:
- Caller has a dog that had an operation performed by a specialist surgeon and now the dog has developed complications
associated with the surgery. Veterinarian on duty can refer the caller to the emergency service of the surgeon.
- Caller has a horse that has reacted to medication prescribed by a veterinarian. Caller has rung a different practice
about the problem. Veterinarian is entitled to refer the call to the veterinarian that prescribed the medication.
- Caller has a bull calf that was castrated by a veterinarian and the wound is now infected. Veterinarian is entitled
to refer the call to the practice that did the surgery.
- It is likely that a caller will have one usual veterinarian who can be considered to be the provider of regular veterinary
services (the general veterinary practitioner) for an animal or a particular group of animals owned by the caller. The general
veterinary practitioner must accept the major responsibility for providing emergency care for those animals. Where (k)(i) above
does not apply but where a different practice to that of the veterinarian on duty could reasonably be described as the general
veterinary practice of the caller then the veterinarian on duty is entitled to refer the caller to the emergency service of that
practice. (Refer to Sections 1 and 2 of the Professional Relationships Explanatory Notes for more explanation).
- If the caller is a client and is known to use the services of more than one veterinary practice, but where (k)(i)) and (k)(ii)
above do not apply, the veterinarian on duty must attend the animal and provide essential treatment. This assumes the call is a
veterinary emergency and the veterinarian has the necessary skills and resources.
- In all cases if the caller is referred to the emergency service of another veterinary practice (under paragraphs (k)(i))
and (k)(ii) above) and that service is not readily available and if the veterinarian on duty has the necessary skills and
resources required for the particular emergency, then they must attend the animal(s) and provide essential treatment.
- In an emergency where the caller identifies that they have economic restraints (or where the client has a poor credit history
with the practice), the obligations of the veterinarian remain the same. The welfare of the animal is the first priority. However,
attending the welfare needs of the animal does not commit the veterinarian to undertake treatment beyond ensuring the animal is not
suffering unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
- When attending a veterinary emergency, the over-riding concern must be the welfare of the animal and the relief of unreasonable
or unnecessary pain or distress. Following initial assessment and first aid, the veterinarian should provide the owner with an
assessment of the extent of any problems, a realistic prognosis and the various treatment options available. Further treatment
should be agreed upon taking into account the necessary and available resources, as well as the economic and emotional needs of
the owner and the particular circumstances of the animal. Veterinarians are not obliged to undertake ongoing treatments that cannot
be paid for by the owner/person in charge. Where the necessary ongoing treatment cannot be agreed upon and the animal is deemed
to be suffering unreasonably, further treatment may be limited to euthanasia or where appropriate, stabilisation of the animal's
clinical condition prior to transport to another source of veterinary care.
- All veterinarians providing clinical services must make provision for an emergency service. Clients must be informed about the
availability of this service by means of a telephone answering service and a notice at the unattended clinic. Other means can also
be used, for example notices in newspapers.
- With the advent of specific emergency after hours clinics it is accepted that some animal owners may have to travel further to
receive service. The disadvantages of longer travel may be offset by the advantages (e.g. constant veterinary supervision)
associated with the type of veterinary service offered by such clinics. The same issue can apply when veterinary practices work
together co-operatively to share the provision of emergency services. When considering referring clients to another clinic for
emergencies veterinarians should give thought to what is a reasonable / acceptable time or distance for their clients to travel
taking into account local factors and conditions.
- Veterinarians offering particular services (e.g. embryo transplant) to geographically distant clients must observe the requirement
to ensure provision of a continuous emergency service. Where circumstances are such that the veterinarian cannot personally provide
this, specific prior arrangements must be made with colleagues who can do so and provide their colleagues in the area and the mutual
client with a specifically arranged emergency service locally.
- This Code recognises that people living in remote and inaccessible geographic areas are unlikely to receive the same level of
emergency veterinary service as people living in more populated areas. In this context remote and inaccessible means areas
with low population density where there are few options for veterinary service and where travel may be logistically difficult
because of distances required to be travelled, terrain, or weather. The more isolated the client/patient is from the veterinarian,
the more impracticable it may be to provide comprehensive 24-hour emergency cover, and the more difficult it may be for a
veterinarian on duty providing that cover to attend to the needs of an animal that may require immediate first aid or pain relief.
- From time to time in certain districts particular types of veterinary service may not be readily available. For example, there
may not be enough equine veterinarians in a district to be able to meet the demand for routine equine veterinary services let alone
emergency services. Or there might be a sole veterinary practitioner providing the only veterinary services to a particular geographic
district. In these circumstances a pragmatic approach is needed in order to protect animal welfare standards and common sense must
prevail when interpreting this Code in relation to the local veterinarian's obligations regarding the provision of emergency veterinary services.
In a district where these problems are specifically recognised by VCNZ to occur and where a veterinarian in that
district is not able to comply with this Code in relation to providing emergency services, he/she must seek clarification from VCNZ
about how their service might be tailored to the particular circumstances in order to meet acceptable standards.
- For those times when an emergency service cannot be provided, either at night, weekend or other off duty periods, or by reason
of holidays, sickness or emergencies of any kind, specific prior arrangements must be made with colleagues for an emergency service
to be provided. It is recommended that this is formalised in a written agreement.
- The obligation on the veterinarian is not therefore, to remain constantly on duty but to ensure that, when off duty, clients are
directed to another member of the profession with whom prior arrangements have been made. The redirection of out of hours calls to
other veterinarians without their prior knowledge and consent is unacceptable.
- Veterinarians should when attending veterinary emergencies consider carefully the potential personal risks involved, and take
steps to manage those risks. There is no expectation that veterinarians should place their personal safety at risk.
- Providing an emergency veterinary service outside normal business hours can be more expensive. Those costs may be fairly passed
on to the users of the service.
- The emergency care expectations are summarised in the emergency flow chart below.
24 hour Emergency Response Flowchart
(Click on image for larger version)
- There will be times when a veterinarian who is not currently working in clinical practice, or who is not on duty, is called upon in a
veterinary emergency. On these occasions, if the veterinarian is unable to attend the animal personally to provide emergency treatment,
he/she must make a reasonable effort to assist the caller to locate an alternative source of emergency veterinary care.
Instances will occur where neither of the options in paragraphs 7 and 8 is suitable or applicable. In any such case the veterinarian must
provide appropriate advice in order that the person in charge of the animal is able to take the necessary steps to alleviate any unreasonable
or unnecessary pain or distress being suffered by the animal.
Understanding Section 8
- Section 7 of this part of the Code describes the responsibilities of those veterinarians on duty providing an emergency service. Section 8 describes the
responsibilities of all other veterinarians - whether they are a clinical practitioner who is not on duty, or a veterinarian not
employed in clinical practice.
- When contacted in a veterinary emergency, those veterinarians in clinical practice and not on duty, and those not in clinical
practice, who have the necessary skills and resources and who are willing to attend may choose to attend the affected animals.
Paragraph (e) of the Explanatory Notes for Section 7 of the Code applies.
- While there is no legal obligation for veterinarians to respond when called upon in a veterinary emergency, veterinarians in this
group choosing not to attend the emergency personally, still have an ethical responsibility to respond professionally and help the
caller to find a solution so that the animal is not left to suffer unreasonably. Where possible, the veterinarian must provide
reasonable assistance to guide the caller to a suitable and available emergency service.
- Where there is no other available veterinary service the veterinarian must appropriately advise the person in charge of the
animal(s) how best they can meet their obligations under sections 10 and 11 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
The person ultimately responsible for ensuring that an animal does not suffer is the person in charge of the animal.
- Veterinarians must make provision for the care of animals currently receiving in-patient treatment. This must be at a level appropriate to
the clinical problem being managed and must be communicated to the client.
Understanding Section 9
- In-patients are those animals remaining in the veterinary clinic for the purposes of treatment.
- Veterinarians have an ongoing ethical responsibility to their patients receiving in-patient care. This responsibility
extends outside normal business hours.
- As well as ethical responsibilities, veterinarians have legal obligations as the person in charge (as defined in the Animal Welfare Act 1999) of their
inpatients. More specifically sections 10 and 11 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 set out those requirements.
- Veterinarians must make proper provision to manage their in-patients appropriately for the clinical condition being treated.
- The owners of in-patients must be informed of the level of supervision and clinical management the in-patients will be receiving
out of normal business hours.
Glossary
Adverse event: An adverse event is considered to have occurred if any one (or more) of the following
takes place after the administration of a veterinary medicine:
- an unexpected reaction;
- unreasonable pain or distress;
- lack of efficacy;
- the production of residues in primary products when the product has been used as recommended.
An adverse event is considered to have occurred if any one (or more) of the following takes
place after the administration of a veterinary medicine:
- an unexpected reaction;
- unreasonable pain or distress;
- lack of efficacy;
- the production of residues in primary products when the product
has been used as recommended.
Advertise: To publicise to the community or to any section of the community using any words, whether written, printed,
spoken, or in any electronic form, or of any pictorial representation or design or device used to promote the sale of any agricultural
compound; and 'to advertise' has a corresponding meaning (ref: section 2 ACVM Act).
Advertising does not include general information transfer about animal health, animal welfare,
or food safety status or management.
To publicise to the community or to any section of the community using any words,
whether written, printed, spoken, or in any electronic form, or of any pictorial
representation or design or device used to promote the sale of any agricultural
compound; and 'to advertise' has a corresponding meaning (ref: section 2 ACVM Act).
Advertising does not include general information transfer about animal health,
animal welfare, or food safety status or management.
Attending a veterinary emergency means to physically assess the animal(s) and as a
minimum provide relief from unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
Attending a veterinary emergency means to physically assess the animal(s)
and as a minimum provide relief from unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
Authorising, dispensing, recommending, selling and using veterinary medicines:
-
Authorising: A veterinarian creating a documented approval allowing a client to purchase a particular restricted
veterinary medicine to administer to a particular animal(s) in accordance with the instructions of the veterinarian.
A veterinarian creating a documented approval allowing a client to purchase
a particular restricted veterinary medicine to administer to a particular
animal(s) in accordance with the instructions of the veterinarian.
-
Dispensing: Supplying veterinary medicines strictly in accordance with a written veterinary authorisation.
Products must be dispensed in their registered packaging unless otherwise specified in the authorisation.
Supplying veterinary medicines strictly in accordance with a written
veterinary authorisation. Products must be dispensed in their
registered packaging unless otherwise specified in the authorisation.
-
Recommending: Advising a client to use a particular veterinary medicine.
Advising a client to use a particular veterinary medicine.
-
Selling: Offering for sale a veterinary medicine, including gifting or offering samples.
Offering for sale a veterinary medicine, including gifting or offering samples.
-
Using: A veterinarian administering a veterinary medicine to an animal(s) in their care.
This includes staff administering in accordance with the veterinarians instructions.
A veterinarian administering a veterinary medicine to an animal(s)
in their care. This includes staff administering in accordance
with the veterinarians instructions.
-
Veterinary medicine: Any substance, mixture of substances or biological compound used or intended for use
in the direct management of an animal.
Any substance, mixture of substances or biological compound used
or intended for use in the direct management of an animal.
Certification is the action of providing a written assurance or notification to
any person about any animal or animal product. (In this context 'written' includes using electronic means).
Certification is the action of providing a written assurance or
notification to any person about any animal or animal product.
(In this context 'written' includes using electronic means).
A client of a veterinarian is a person (or organisation) that uses or has used the professional services of that veterinarian.
A client of a veterinarian is a person (or organisation)
that uses or has used the professional services of that veterinarian.
Clinical practice means the professional examination, diagnosis, prophylactic,
medical and/or surgical services veterinarians provide.
Clinical practice means the professional examination, diagnosis,
prophylactic, medical and/or surgical services veterinarians provide.
Competency is the application of knowledge, skills, attitudes, communication and
judgement to the delivery of appropriate veterinary services in any particular field of veterinary
practice. Competence is demonstrated through performing the tasks required to an acceptable standard
and doing this on a consistent basis.
Competency is the application of knowledge, skills, attitudes,
communication and judgement to the delivery of appropriate
veterinary services in any particular field of veterinary
practice. Competence is demonstrated through performing the tasks
required to an acceptable standard and doing this on a consistent basis.
Compounded preparation: A preparation prepared by a veterinarian or by a person on behalf of a veterinarian
for use or sale as a veterinary medicine without regulatory assessment or approval.
A preparation prepared by a veterinarian or by a person on behalf
of a veterinarian for use or sale as a veterinary medicine without
regulatory assessment or approval.
Compounding: Combining ingredients (some of which may be generic chemicals or biological compounds and others
may be trade name products) to prepare a medication to be supplied to a person to treat an animal.
To prepare means not only the process of combining ingredients in an appropriate manner for the intended purpose, but also placing
the medication into appropriate packaging with appropriate labelling to allow it to be supplied to and used by a person other than
the veterinarian who compounded it.
Combining ingredients (some of which may be generic chemicals
or biological compounds and others may be trade name products) to
prepare a medication to be supplied to a person to treat an animal.
To prepare means not only the process of combining ingredients in an
appropriate manner for the intended purpose but also placing the
medication into appropriate packaging with appropriate labelling to
allow it to be supplied to and used by a person other than the
veterinarian who compounded it.
Controlled drug means any substance, preparation, mixture, or article specified or
described in Schedule 1, Schedule 2, or Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. ( http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1975/0116/latest/DLM436101.html?search=ts_act_misuse+of+drugs_resel&p=1&sr=1)
Controlled drug means any substance, preparation, mixture, or
article specified or described in Schedule 1, Schedule 2, or
Schedule 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.
General Veterinary Practitioner is the predominant veterinarian who a client
chooses to provide the continuing and comprehensive primary veterinary care requirements for an animal or group of animals.
General Veterinary Practitioner is the predominant veterinarian
who a client chooses to provide the continuing and comprehensive
primary veterinary care requirements for an animal or group of animals.
Generic Chemical
A substance that is offered for sale without any veterinary medicine claims being made by the manufacturer, proprietor or seller.
A substance that is offered for sale without any veterinary medicine
claims being made by the manufacturer, proprietor or seller.
Human medicine refers to any medicine, prescription medicine or pharmacy-only
medicine as defined in the Medicines Act 1981.
Human medicine refers to any medicine, prescription medicine or
pharmacy-only medicine as defined in the Medicines Act 1981.
Ill treatment of an animal means causing an animal to suffer pain or distress
which is unreasonable or unnecessary.
Ill treatment of an animal means causing an animal to suffer
pain or distress which is unreasonable or unnecessary.
Immediate means taking place without delay.
Inducements are gifts or rewards offered to individual veterinarians
or their staff which provide a significant personal benefit and therefore have the potential to influence treatment decisions (including
the choice of restricted veterinary medicine) or incentivise sales. Examples might include but are not limited to cash, attendance
at entertainment or sporting events, travel, hospitality, loans, personal items and consumables.
Inducements are gifts or rewards offered to individual
veterinarians or their staff which provide a significant personal
benefit and therefore have the potential to influence treatment
decisions (including the choice of restricted veterinary medicine)
or incentivise sales.
Examples might include but are not limited to cash, attendance at
entertainment or sporting events, travel, hospitality, loans,
personal items and consumables.
MAF: Ministry of Agrictulture and Forestry.
MAF: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
NZVA: New Zealand Veterinary Association.
NZVA: New Zealand Veterinary Association.
Off Label Use: Using a registered veterinary medicine (over the counter or restricted) product for a
purpose not assessed by MAF ACVM Group.
Off label use: Using a registered veterinary medicine
(over the counter or restricted) product for a purpose not
assessed by MAF ACVM Group.
Practice:
Any aspect of veterinary endeavour. The practice of veterinary science includes:
- signing any certificate e.g. clinical and export certificates;
- prescribing;
- treating;
- reporting or giving advice in a veterinary capacity using the knowledge, skills, attitudes and competence initially attained for the
BVSc degree (or equivalent) and built upon through experience and/or post-graduate and continuing professional development. "Practice"
goes wider in this context than clinical veterinary science to include regulatory and compliance functions, teaching, consultancy, advice
and health and welfare management.
Any aspect of veterinary endeavour.
The practice of veterinary science includes:
- signing any certificate e.g. clinical and export certificates;
- prescribing;
- treating;
- reporting or giving advice in a veterinary capacity using
the knowledge, skills, attitudes and competence initially attained
for the BVSc degree (or equivalent) and built upon through experience
and/or post-graduate and continuing professional development. "Practice"
goes wider in this context than clinical veterinary science to include
regulatory and compliance functions, teaching, consultancy, advice
and health and welfare management.
Referral: The act of handing over a matter/clinical case to a person, who has particular skills, or who is a
registered specialist in the appropriate discipline.
The act of handing over a matter/clinical case to a person, who has
particular skills, or who is a registered specialist in the
appropriate discipline.
RVM: Restricted veterinary medicine.
Retricted veterinary medicine.
Veterinarian means a person who is registered with the Veterinary Council
of New Zealand and who holds a current practising certificate.
Veterinarian means a person who is registered with the
Veterinary Council of New Zealand and who holds a current
practising certificate.
Veterinary authorisation: An instruction, in an appropriate documented form, from a veterinarian authorising:
- the use of a restricted veterinary medicine by the specified person in accordance with the authorising veterinarian's instructions;
- the holding of a relevant restricted veterinary medicine by a person who is neither a recognised trader nor a veterinarian;
- the sale from a person recognised to sell restricted veterinary medicines to a person specified in the authorisation.
The terms veterinary authorisation and veterinary prescription have the same meaning and may be used interchangeably.
An instruction, in an appropriate documented form, from a
veterinarian authorising:
- the use of a restricted veterinary medicine by the specified
person in accordance with the authorising veterinarian's instructions;
- the holding of a relevant restricted veterinary medicine by a
person who is neither a recognised trader nor a veterinarian;
- the sale from a person recognised to sell restricted veterinary
medicines to a person specified in the authorisation.
The terms veterinary authorisation and veterinary prescription have the
same meaning and may be used interchangeably.
Veterinary consultation
A veterinary consultation must include the veterinarian:
- interviewing the client (or a legitimate and authorised representative of the client);
- collecting and recording sufficient information relevant to the individual circumstances to ensure the proposed course of action
(including treatment) is appropriate and meets the needs and best interests of the animal(s) and the client;
- obtaining appropriate consent to the proposed course of action;
- being given and accepting responsibility for the ongoing health and welfare of the animal(s) concerned in relation to the consultation.
This includes arranging emergency care taking into consideration the circumstances and the potential for adverse effects from, or failure
of the agreed course of action;
- determining and providing the appropriate level of advice and training in order to be satisfied that the agreed course of action can
occur as planned
Consultation will usually involve the animal(s) having been seen by the veterinarian at the time of the consultation. If not, they will have
been seen recently or often enough for the veterinarian to have sufficient personal knowledge of the condition/health status of the animal(s).
This consultation is required in order for the veterinarian to be able to propose the particular course of action/treatment.
A veterinary consultation must include the veterinarian:
- interviewing the client (or a legitimate and authorised representative of the client);
- collecting and recording sufficient information relevant to
the individual circumstances to ensure the proposed course of action
(including treatment) is appropriate and meets the needs and best
interests of the animal(s) and the client;
- obtaining appropriate consent to the proposed course of action;
- being given and accepting responsibility for the ongoing health
and welfare of the animal(s) concerned in relation to the consultation.
This includes arranging emergency care taking into consideration the
circumstances and the potential for adverse effects from, or failure
of the agreed course of action;
- determining and providing the appropriate level of advice and training
in order to be satisfied that the agreed course of action can
occur as planned; and
Consultation will usually involve the animal(s) having been seen by the
veterinarian at the time of the consultation. If not, they will have been seen
recently or often enough for the veterinarian to have sufficient personal knowledge
of the condition/health status of the animal(s). This consultation is required in
order for the veterinarian to be able to propose the particular course of action/treatment.
VCNZ: Veterinary Council of New Zealand
Veterinary Council of New Zealand
Veterinary emergency: Any sudden, unforeseen injury, illness or complication in an animal demanding immediate or early
veterinary treatment to save life or to provide timely relief from unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
Any sudden, unforeseen injury, illness or complication in an
animal demanding immediate or early veterinary treatment to save
life or to provide timely relief from unreasonable or unnecessary
pain or distress.
Veterinary Operating Instruction (VOI): A set of instructions from an authorising veterinarian (AV) to a
non-veterinarian to hold restricted veterinary medicines (RVM) in anticipation of their use, and to use RVMs only in accordance
with the AV's instructions in circumstances in which the AV will not be carrying out a case-specific consultation.
A set of instructions from an authorising veterinarian (AV) to a
non-veterinarian to hold restricted veterinary medicines (RVM) in
anticipation of their use, and to use RVMs only in accordance
with the AV's instructions in circumstances in which the AV will
not be carrying out a case-specific consultation.
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Understanding the Guiding Statement
