We are incredibly happy to share that St Kitts Vets Basingstoke has passed its latest accreditation inspection from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) with flying colours! This means that all of our branches remain RCVS accredited under the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS).
What is the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme?
The PSS is a voluntary initiative run by the RCVS to accredit veterinary practices in the UK. It aims to promote and maintain the highest standards of veterinary care to give pet owners peace of mind and assurance that their pet is receiving the best of care.
Minimum standards are set by the RCVS for practices to attain and follow, which are assessed during a rigorous inspection process before accreditation can be awarded. These assessments are carried out regularly every four years, but a practice can be ‘spot checked’ at any time during this period to ensure standards are maintained.
Assessment criteria for ‘Core’ standards typically covers:
- Hygiene and infection control
- Emergency cover
- Staff training
- Equipment and facilities (including maintenance)
More recently, the criteria has even included environmental sustainability as another consideration.
On top of the ‘Core’ accreditation, practices can also gain species- or discipline-specific credentials. For example, all St Kitts Vets branches are accredited at Small Animal General Practice level.
What does the accreditation mean for you and your pets?
The PSS accreditation is important to you and your pet for a number of reasons:
- As it is voluntary (around 69% of UK veterinary practices are currently accredited), the Practice Standards Scheme indicates that your vet is truly committed to delivering gold standards of care across the board.
- It assures you that the team and their services are inspected regularly to confirm that strict standards are being maintained.
Who is the RCVS?
The RCVS is the regulatory body of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the UK. They regulate all aspects of the veterinary profession, including education, ethics, clinical standards and professional conduct.
If you see ‘MRCVS’ under a veterinary surgeon’s name, this indicates that they are registered with the RCVS and permitted to practice in the UK. To maintain these post-nominals, the vet must follow the RCVS code of professional conduct and keep their skills and knowledge up to date by means of continuous professional development (CPD).
For qualified veterinary nurses who are registered with the RCVS, you will see ‘RVN’ after their name. Similarly to vets, nurses must follow the code of professional conduct and continuous professional development.
For more information about our accredited practices, please contact your local St Kitts branch:
St Kitts Vets Basingstoke: 01256 844944
St Kitts Vets Hartley Wintney: 01252 844044
Crookham Park Veterinary Centre: 01252 913990
Firgrove Veterinary Centre: 01252 877799
