Veterinarians' Health
Veterinarians, like anyone else, can suffer from physical or mental illness, either temporarily or as part of a gradual deterioration with a chronic illness. An illness may affect a veterinarian's ability to practise.
The Veterinary Council (the Council) is the body responsible for regulating the veterinary profession under the Veterinarians Act 2005. The Council manages veterinarians with conditions affecting their fitness to practise.
A veterinarian may not be fit to practise if he or she:
- is unable to make safe judgements
- is unable to demonstrate the level of skill and knowledge required for safe practice
- behaves inappropriately
- acts or omits to act in ways that impact adversely on the safety of patients, clients, colleagues or staff.
For a copy of a Brochure on the health monitoring process, click on the link below:
Brochure: Veterinarians' Health
What causes health problems?
Veterinarians, like everyone else, are constantly exposed to stresses and hazards that can impair performance. Stresses can include the demands of work and personal relationships, as well as financial problems. Hazards include infectious diseases, accidents or injury as a result of working with animals, exposure to radiation, drugs and noxious chemicals. In addition, veterinarians are vulnerable to the same physical and psychological disorders and addictions as the rest of the community.
It is to be expected that a small number of veterinarians will be working under some degree of impairment. If professional help is not sought it is often just a matter of time before serious problems occur. General experience is that early intervention usually enables veterinarians with a treatable condition to keep practising while receiving treatment. However, sometimes a complex or irreversible health problem is involved. In these cases it is vital for public safety that the veterinarian's practice is closely monitored or, if necessary, that he or she stops work.
Who advises the Council about problems with a veterinarian's health?
Often veterinarians advise the Council of their health problem either when it occurs or when they renew their practising certificate. However, any person can tell the Council of their concerns about a veterinarian.
How does the Council assess and monitor the situation?
The Health Committee is a committee appointed by the Council to assess, make recommendations and monitor the health of veterinarians. It currently consists of two Council members and a human health professional. At any one time the Committee may be helping and monitoring veterinarians for a number of reasons.
For more information, contact the Registrar at the Council offices:
PO Box 10-653, Wellington
Phone: 04 473 9600
registrar@vetcouncil.org.nz
Other help available
The Veterinary Council of New Zealand and the New Zealand Veterinary Association maintain a contract with Seed, which is the provider of the Vets in Stress programme. This programme includes a 24-hour freephone access (0508 664 981) to counsellors and psychologists providing confidential and professional offsite counselling. A network of regional veterinary coordinators are available who may, subject to the prior approval of the referred veterinarian, provide confidential advice and collegial support. The scheme is designed to assist veterinarians with personal or health problems.
New Zealand Veterinary Association
For veterinarians who are members of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, or whose employers have VPIS Insurance, help may be available in the form of personal, legal or (limited) financial support.