Memorandum submitted by Adrian Palmer
(Vet 07)
RE: CHANGES
TO THE
1966 ACT WHICH
HAVE BEEN
PROPOSED BY
THE ROYAL
COLLEGE OF
VETERINARY SURGEONS
Whether the provisions of the 1966 Act are out
of step with developments in the veterinary surgeon and related
professions
Whether there ought to be regulation of providers
of veterinary care other than veterinary surgeons
1.1 Hoof trimmers. I contact you
as a registered farrier which I presume would be considered one
of the related professions. There is a continual overlapping in
the veterinary and farriery professions that could make joint
regulation under the proposed act advantageous to both groups.
The present regulation of hoof care is far from perfect, particularly
in regard to trimming where loopholes in the farriers registration
act are being exploited. This unfortunate development means unregistered
and unregulated people are at present allowed to trim horses hooves.
I would not however be in favour of simply taking the easy option
by throwing open the doors and bringing them in under a new act.
Trimming should be the foundation to all farriery and should only
be undertaken, in the spirit of the farriers registration act,
by fully trained and qualified people. I would hope that a new
act would ensure that only registered farriers were permitted
to trim the hooves of equines, others would have to undertake
the same training and reach the required level of competence in
order to practice.
Whether the RCVS and Veterinary Nurses Council
(VNC) should be given the power to require continuing professional
development and revalidation
1.2 Continuing professional development
(CPD). There are also many differences as well as similarities
in the structure of veterinary and farriery businesses and I would
ask your consideration of this in regard to the possible introduction
of compulsory CPD. I feel it would be a mistake if the farriery
profession were to be drawn down this path. Most farriers are
self employed sole traders, many have become specialist in specific
areas and levels of work. Farriers are acknowledged by the current
governing bodies to undertake CPD on a voluntary basis, this is
done in areas of there specific choice and at time and locations
that fit in with a busy work load. The voluntary nature of this
ensures market forces maintain the quality of lectures and seminars
offered and avoid excessive bureaucracy. I remain very much in
favour of continued learning and am currently studying for recognised
higher qualifications, I would welcome any opportunities to further
my studies but would ask not to be burdened with the possibility
of compulsory CPD, should it arrive via this proposed act or otherwise.
1.3 I fear, that from a farriery point of
view, the possible benefits of the new act incorporating related
professions could be overshadowed if:
— A group of self appointed practitioners
such as hoof trimmers be given unduly elevated status, by-passing
formal farriery training;
— or "one size fits all"
approach to CPD is taken, that may be suitable to veterinary practices
and employed veterinary nurses, but not suitable for farriers.
1.4 Perhaps in the interests of openness
and democracy it would be possible to have a ballot of registered
farriers prior to any new legislation affecting the profession?
1.5 I would be pleased to hear any of your
comments on the points I have raised or if you require any additional
information from me.
August 2007
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