Changes ahead with the Code of Conduct review

In this year of significant veterinary nursing milestones, we are further defining our professionalism by improving the regulations by which we practice. The review to the current Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses is complete and a new draft document for a UK Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses is now out for consultation. On page 424 of the last issue, Andrea Jeffery, RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council member who led the group tasked with developing the new Code, and a board member of The Veterinary Nurse, wrote an interesting commentary detailing how the Code has been up for review and what this may mean for our profession. Consultation closes on October 31st.

Most of us who have been in practice for some time will, at some point or another, have encountered a colleague whose competencies we questioned. For some of us, it may have been serious enough that we reported it, and for others we may have kept quiet, or left the job in search of a more professional environment. Now, with the new Code, our responsibility will be more than just guided by suggestions to report these colleagues, it will be directed by a code that we pledge to abide by at all times. In doing so, we will be bound by this set of directives and professionally accountable for reporting breaches in conduct in order to ensure the welfare of our patients, wellbeing of our clients, safety of the general public and the professionalism of the veterinary community at large.