RCVS Accreditation

What is the RCVS?

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) regulates the veterinary profession. This includes individual veterinary surgeons and the practices in which the veterinary team works. The initials MRCVS, that you see after a vets name, means that they are a member of the RCVS and are qualified to practise within the UK.

What is RCVS Accreditation?

Practices can become accredited under the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme. This is a voluntary quality assurance programme.
To be accredited,  practices must pass a rigorous inspection. Areas covered include hygiene, health and safety and the facilities and equipment provided, to name just a few of the many criteria.

• An accredited practice is inspected every four years.
• It must certify annually that it continues to meet the standards.
• It may be subject to spot-checks between full inspections.

What does it mean for me and my animals?

RCVS accreditation means

• Peace of mind for you.
• Quality care for your animals.
• Regular inspections for the practice.

The Practice Standards Scheme is a voluntary initiative and not all practices are part of it yet. As a client of an RCVS accredited practice, you can be assured of a high quality of care throughout the practice.

Are all accredited practices the same?

There are many different types of veterinary practice. Some offer a broad range of services, others concentrate on particular species or disciplines. Some are general practices, others may just offer vaccinations and worming, or minor surgery.

Viking Vets is an RCVS Accredited Small Animal practice. It has been inspected as...

• Meeting with Core Standards, including a range of legal and health and safety requirements.
• Having in place arrangements for 24 hour emergency cover for patients.
• Having a policy to make clients aware of arrangements for checking and monitoring patients if kept in overnight.
• Having a system for monitoring the outcome of treatments.
• Showing an ongoing commitment to education and training of staff.
• Keeping premises clean and maintained.
• Having a policy for communicating with clients and looking at feedback.
• Having procedures to give estimates of treatment costs and obtain consent to procedure undertaken.
• Having access to laboratory facilities for diagnostic testing.
• Meeting a range of legal and health and safety requirements covering its premises, equipment, clients and employees.
• Having appropriately trained staff for the nature of the work undertaken in the practice.

It also meets addition standards as appropriate to being an Accredited Small Animal Practice.