Should veterinary nurses be able to do more under Schedule 3?

Cat castrations, inducing anaesthesia by increment and TB testing are among a range of procedures carried out by veterinary nurses illegally, an RCVS survey has found. According to the survey of thousands of veterinary professionals in May and June this year, veterinary nurses are confused about what they are legally entitled to do under current Schedule 3 arrangements. The findings have prompted calls for the College to clarify exactly what procedures nurses can and cannot do. Schedule 3 is an exemption to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. It allows registered or student veterinary nurses to carry out some limited veterinary procedures under the direction of an employing vet. The vet must stay on the premises at all times. Permitted procedures include medical treatment or carrying out minor surgery (without entering a body cavity). Of the 6873 veterinary nurses who responded to the college’s survey, some 26 per cent...
Source: Veterinary Record - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research